{Recipe Repost} Strawberry Vanilla Jam

It's strawberry season!  On Mother's Day, we took a trip out to Vollmer Farm in Bunn, NC, to pick local, organically grown strawberries.  The kids always enjoy spending time at the farm (especially the Back Forty playground!).  And back home, I enjoy turning some of our fresh picked bounty into yummy Strawberry Vanilla Jam!

Rinse, hull and slice your strawberries.  You will need 5 cups of crushed berries for the jam.  I add the sliced strawberries to my Vitamix and pulse quickly, working in several small batches until I have the needed amount.  

Add the crushed strawberries to a stainless steel saucepan along with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, a 1/2 teaspoon of butter (helps to reduce foaming) and half a vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise.  Whisk in pectin (1 - 1 1/2 boxes or 9 tablespoons).  Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring frequently.   

Next, add 7 cups of sugar (all at once), stirring constantly.  Return the mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.  Boil hard, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.  Remove from heat.  Using a large slotted metal spoon, skim off any foam.  Remove the vanilla bean.

Nota Bene:  Visit the Fresh Preserving website for instructions on how to prep jars and lids and for basic water bath canning procedures.

Add hot jam to prepared canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.

Process jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.  When processing time is done, turn off heat and remove the lid from canner.  Allow jars to rest in canner for 5 minutes.  Carefully remove jars from canner without tilting.  Place jars upright on a towel in a draft-free area and let cool, undisturbed for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, check lids for seal before placing in pantry.  If jars did not seal properly, refrigerate immediately or reprocess.  

Recipe from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving: 400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today





Mary Ellen

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In the Kitchen - Red, White & Blue Strawberries

 



The kids joined me in the kitchen for a fun Memorial Day treat - Red, White & Blue Strawberries!  I found the idea and recipe on Pinterest, of course!

 

Ashleigh & Reed dipping our strawberries in melted white chocolate

 

The strawberries set aside to harden after the first dipping

 

I didn't have the blue sprinkles as called for the recipe.  But, sugar mixed with a few drops of blue food coloring work just the same!

 

Clayton adding the blue sprinkles

 

After we finished dipping the strawberries, it seemed a shame to let the leftover melted chocolate go to waste.  So, I took some store bought crème filled cookies and dipped them in the white chocolate!

 

 

Waste not, want not :)

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Mary Ellen

Memorial Day

 



{Repost} Easy Guacamole for Cinco de Mayo!

 

We'll be enjoying some easy Mexican inspired dishes today!  The Pioneer Woman's very easy - and very delicious - Beef & Bean Burritos.  And of course, I'll be making homemade guacamole using this recipe from the Gluten Free Goddess.   This guacamole is light and fresh and has no onions, which is a bonus because our little Ashleigh Girl avoids anything with onions or even the hint of onions! 

 

For the gauc, I add 2 -3 diced avocados, 1 garlic clove, 10 grape tomatoes (halved), lime juice and some fresh cilantro to my Vitamix and blend until slightly smooth.  Then, it's ready to enjoy!

 

Mary Ellen  

 

 

 

 

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Homemade Slime - Frugal Fun for the Kids!

I spent much of Sunday afternoon in the kitchen making among other things, slime for Clayton's upcoming class project.  The entire second grade is creating a "mall" where the students can buy and sell products at their own "stores".  When Ashleigh was in second grade, we made ribbon covered hair clips.  This time around with Clayton, it's slime!

The kids enjoyed the project and it was super easy!  And, exactly like the slime I used to buy as a kid from the bubblegum machine for 25 cents!

Homemade Slime:

Recipe from Dining On Dime Cookbook

Materials needed:

Borax

White glue (the inexpensive glue works fine.  I picked up several bottles of white glue at Kroger's for .69 each)

Food coloring

Step 1:  In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of borax with 1 cup of water.  Stir until the borax is dissolved.

Step 2:  In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup of glue with 1/2 cup of water.  Add a few drops of food coloring.  Mix until smooth.

Step 3:  In a third bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the borax+water mixture with 1/4 cup of the glue+water mixture.  Stir; the slime will begin to form immediately.  Let the slime sit for 5 minutes.  Afterwards, pour off excess water and knead slime until it starts to firm and feels "springy".  

Repeat steps for additional batches.  We were able to make 4 batches of slime with this recipe.

*****

You can find this and other frugal fun recipes in The Dining On A Dime Cookbook!  {currently on sale for 50% off now thru Monday, April 22nd!}  Order by Wednesday to receive a FREE bonus - Menus from Dining On A Dime menu planner (free with any order on Tuesday & Wednesday). 

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Busy Day in the Kitchen

 

 

A busy day in the kitchen....homemade cinnamon rolls this morning for breakfast.  The Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler this afternoon.

 

Currently, making 20 batches of slime (yes, slime!) for Clayton's class project.  And later for supper, Indian Roast Chicken from Bal Arneson (The Spice Goddess).

 

Source: cookingchanneltv.com via Mary on Pinterest



What's cooking in your kitchen today?  

Mary Ellen



NASCAR Season Heating Up!

Pinterest

After a break for Easter, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series returns to action this weekend at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA.  As a fan, I always enjoy watching the beating and banging on the short tracks.  But, this weekend's race has been highly anticipated following the hard racing at Fontana between Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin.  And, the fireworks on pit road between Joey Logano and Tony Stewart!  Will there be payback this weekend?  I have a feeling Tony Stewart will be looking to dish out some should he and Logano cross paths on the track.  I'm a Tony Stewart fan, but I have to say my respect increased for Joey Logano after the Fontana race.  I thought it was very hypocritical of Tony Stewart to blast Logano for blocking during the final laps of the race.  Logano did exactly what I would expect Stewart to do if he was in the same position racing for the win.  And, I guess Stewart forgot about all the times he's blocked other drivers.  Notably, his block on Michael Waltrip at Talladega that lead to a massive 25 car crash and Dale Jr. getting sidelined with a concussion.  Also, Stewart's comments about Logano being a spoiled rich kid seemed very petty.  It's not the fault of Logano that his parents were able to provide financial support for his racing in a way Stewart's family was not.  In the future should Tony Stewart himself become a father, I have to believe he would use his name, status and wealth to provide opportunities for his children as well.  Anyway, it should be a great race!

Mary Ellen

Happy Easter!

Christ has died

Christ is RISEN

Christ will come again

{Repost} Dijon Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe

 

Bone-in Ham with Dijon Pineapple Glaze

 

I've shared this recipe before as it is a family favorite and my go-to recipe for glazed ham.  But, with Easter right around the corner (tomorrow!!!) I wanted to make it available again.  I still have to run out to the store and buy a ham myself.  Hopefully, there are still some left!

 

 

Dijon-Pineapple Glaze

(adapted from Kraft Foods recipe)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup maple syrup or honey (I've also used the glaze packet included with the ham for the syrup)

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1 can crushed pineapple, with juice (I chop up frozen pineapple or canned pineapple chunks in my Vitamix)

1 tablespoon corn starch

whole cloves

Maraschino cherries, halved (optional)

 Heat oven to temperature listed in cooking directions included with the ham.  Mix syrup, sugar and mustard until blended.  Spread a portion of the glaze over the ham.  Add cloves and cherries to the top of the ham.  Bake ham according to directions.

Before the ham is done cooking, combine remaining glaze with corn starch and crushed pineapple in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 5 minutes or until thickened.  Serve sauce alongside ham.

 

Mary Ellen

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{Repost} Decorating Easter Eggs

An oldie but goodie - inexpensive ways to decorate Easter eggs, along with ideas for creating your own natural dyes.  Please enjoy these tips from the ladies at Living On A Dime!

Before decorating Easter eggs, cover the entire table with newspaper. Keep a huge roll of paper towels or rags handy for messes. Have each kid wear one of dad's old (now disposable) tee shirts.

Making Easter Egg Stands

Cut toilet paper roll cores into one inch cylinders and use for egg stands. Decorate with stickers or paint.

Decorating Easter Eggs

Traditional Method

Hard boil eggs. Fill several mugs with boiling water and add 1-2 tsp. vinegar. Place a few drops of desired food coloring in each mug. Place eggs in mugs for several minutes until eggs reach desired shades.

Remove with a spoon. Place on paper towel to dry. When dry, polish with a small amount of shortening on a paper towel. Buff until glossy.

You can draw or write on the eggs with a light colored or white crayon before dipping. The drawing will remain white after the egg is dipped.

To clean out mugs, put a little bleach water in the cups and soak for a few minutes.

Glitter Eggs - Place 1 tablespoon each of glue and water in a cup. Stir the mixture and then paint the eggs with it. Sprinkle with glitter. This can also add sparkle to already dyed eggs!

Decoupaged Eggs - Tear small pieces of wrapping paper, napkins, stickers, or clip art. Mix equal amounts of glue and water. Paint egg with glue mixture. Place paper on top and then cover with more glue mixture. Let dry.

Spotted Eggs - Place 1 tsp. of cooking oil in dye. Dip the egg. The oil will cause the dye to make an irregular pattern on the egg.

Waxed Eggs - Dip a portion of the eggs in melted paraffin or candle wax. Then dip them in the dye. Remove from dye. Dry and peel off the wax. The egg will be white on one half and colored on the other half. You can also dip in dye before waxing to get two colors.

Hollow Eggs - Poke a hole in one end of an egg with a very small needle. Poke another slightly larger hole in the other end. Then blow on the small end and the egg will come out the other side. Decorate Easter eggs as desired.

Natural Easter Egg Dyes

If you would like to try decorating Easter eggs with natural dyes, try the following:

• Yellow-- yellow onion skins, turmeric (1/2 tsp. per cup water) celery leaves
• Orange--any yellow dye plus beet juice
• Red--beets, paprika, red onion skins
• Pink--cranberry juice
• Blue--blackberries, grape juice concentrate, red cabbage
• Brown--black tea, white oak, juniper berry, coffee, barberry
• Light purple--blackberries, grapes, violets
• Green--alfalfa, spinach, kale, violet blossom plus 1/4 tsp. baking soda, tansy, nettle, chervil, sorrel, parsley, carrot tops, beet tops or dip yellow egg in blue dye

Hard boil eggs with 1 tsp. vinegar in the water. Place dying ingredients in non-aluminum pans, cover with water and boil 5 minutes to 1 hour until desired color is achieved. Use enough material to make at least 1 cup dye. Crush ingredients as they boil to extract as much dye as possible. Strain the dye. Most dyes should be used hot. Let each egg sit in the dye until it reaches the desired color. Some dyes will take longer than others to make the desired colored on the egg. Remove the egg and let dry.

*****

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Saturday Simple Pleasure

 

 

 

Today, I got to indulge in one of my favorite simple pleasures - watching snow fall!  Big, fluffy flakes of snow started falling here much earlier than expected.  I've spent all day looking out the window with wonderment!  I couldn't imagine a more perfect winter's day.  All cozy in the house, with no place to be, yummy delights warm from the oven, just watching the snow fall!   

 

 

Mary Ellen



Snow Day (featuring Homemade Caramel Popcorn!)

Well, our snow day last week turned into more of an "ice" day - bummer!  Our area received just a dusting of snow before the precipitation changed to sleet and freezing rain.  Thankfully, we all made it home safely.  And, luckily the area avoided the havoc of 8 years ago when a similar weather event resulted in complete gridlock on the interstate and kids stranded at school overnight. 

But, even a less than snowy, snow day calls for our favorite snow day treat - homemade caramel popcorn!  It's a tradition in our house to snack on this deliciousness when it snows!

Homemade Caramel Popcorn
Recipe from The Complete Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle
by Amy Dacyczyn

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peanuts (optional)
and popcorn, of course!

Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup over low heat until butter is melted.  Cook without stirring for 3 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add baking soda and vanilla.  Spread popcorn and peanuts on a baking sheet.  Pour caramel over the popcorn and mix until evenly coated.  Bake 15 minutes at 300 degrees.



Serve warm from the oven.  YUM!

May your snow days be *!~*!~*SNOWY*!~*!~*

Mary Ellen

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Inspiration & Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

A sweet treat for my sweet Mother-in-law!  She came by over the weekend to deliver my Christmas present which had been delayed in the rush of the holiday shipping.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe from Dining On A Dime Cookbook

3/4 cups shortening, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup (or more) chocolate chips

Beat shortening, sugars, egg, water and vanilla together until creamy.  Add flour and baking soda to creamed mixture.  Blend well.  Stir in oats, then add chocolate chips.  Drop by spoonful onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake in oven preheated to 350 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes. 

Frugal Inspiration - I love those little "magazines" from the grocery stores!  Besides the store specials and recipes, they contain great ideas for creating pleasing edible arrangements for guests.  One of my favorites is Inspirations from The Fresh Market.  Great ideas for platters that I can recreate on my own for less!

Mary Ellen

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Visit from Grandma-claus!

Yesterday, we were visited by my husband's mother, his siblings and their significant others.  It's always great to see his brothers and sister as they live out-of-state.  And of course, the kids always look forward to visits from Grandma!

 

Grandma came bearing gifts!

 

 

She brought tablets

 

and toys, much to the delight of the little ones!

 

 

The kids even got a chance to meet an actual Major League baseball player!

 

My gift is in the mail - literally!  It was delayed in all the holiday shipping.  But, I can't wait to get cooking with my new Le Creuset cookware set :)

 

Since the family came yesterday, today has been quiet and restful.  I've been busy in the kitchen prepping for our Christmas Dinner.  Making Sweet Potato Casserole and Jalapeno Coleslaw to go along with our Dijon-Pineapple Glazed Ham.  Later, we'll take a ride around and look at Christmas lights.  That's when the "elf activity" starts to pick up around our house :)  Every Christmas Eve, an elf stops by to drop off a new pair of pajamas and an ornament for the kids.  A reminder they should get to bed early tonight!

 

Mary Ellen







In My Element

FINALLY, the longest work week ever has come to an end!  What is it about the work week after a holiday, that makes it seem like it goes on forever?  I'm finally back in my element, at home, among the dishes and the dust.  Even though the demands of being a working home keeper can be overwhelming at times, I find being at home extremely restorative.  Even though I may mumble about things never staying clean longer than a minute (I'm working on that!), the truth is I enjoy taking care of my home and all that are in.  I find joy in homemaking.  My therapy happens within the walls of my home.  It's where I create, beautify, bring order, nourish, teach, establish harmony, encourage and love.  It's not just pushing a vacuum, loading and unloading a dishwasher and dusting knick knacks.  It's the work of my soul.

Mary Ellen

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house...or maybe an episode of Hoarders!  As one space is cleaned up, another space becomes messy.  Slowly but surely, things are coming around.  So far, we've put up and decorated eight trees.  We'll be putting up a few more today.  This maybe the earliest we've gotten our trees up for Christmas!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

 

Mary Ellen

Look What the Storm Blew In...

An early morning thunderstorm brought more than just cooler temperatures our way!  Meet "Stormy".

While Ashleigh was outside playing, she heard a tiny meow coming from our outside storage building.  Then, she saw a cute, little face looking back at her.  So, Ash ran inside to get Daddy to come out and investigate.  After several minutes, Dave came back inside doing his best Turtle Man "live action" holler!  It was indeed a little kitten that had taken shelter from the rain in our storage building.  There was no Momma Cat around, nor other kittens.  We have no idea how she found her way to our house.  Our neighbors don't have cats and she seems too young to be at a wandering age.  But, Stormy has settled in nicely with our other kitties.  Kiss-Kiss has been acting as her adopted Momma.  Though the nursing didn't go as Stormy would have expected!  Most of the time, you will find them both cuddled up together.  Don't you just love kittens! :)

Mary Ellen  

Time Is Love...Josh Turner

I only get so many minutes,

Don't want to spend them all on the clock...

Vintage Pillbox Hat

Vintage Pillbox Hat 

from SuzAnna's Antiques

I have a love for vintage and vintage-inspired, if you couldn't already tell!  So, I'm always excited to make a trip to SuzAnna's Antiques to browse all their wonderful treasures.  I literally want to buy the entire store.  But for now, my budget only allows for vintage hats!  My recent purchase, a navy blue, straw pillbox hat with a pearl and rhinestone brooch on the top.  So simple, yet so cute!      

Here's me with my new hat and my navy Ruby Rox retro dress

And Ashleigh took this picture of me with my hat as I was on my way to the farmer's market.  Got lots of compliments on the hat and dress from the other market patrons and vendors!

Mary Ellen

Who Says It's Not Work?!

Dressed for a day of working at home

While the kids are on Summer break, I like to use vacation time when my schedule allows, to spend time at home with them.  My recent days at home reminded me of a conversation I had with a co-worker.  We were chatting about dream jobs and when she asked me what my dream job would be, I told her being a homemaker.  She quickly replied, "That's not a real job!".  Granted her view of homemakers are ladies who are retired and spend their afternoons golfing and lunching.  But, as a wife, mother of three and keeper of a home of six people and four fluffy kitties, I can tell you firsthand homemaking most definitely is work! 

There are three square meals to be made.  And, it seems like when I've cleaned up from one meal, it's time for another one to be prepared.  Dishes, dishes and more dishes!  On weekends and weekdays I'm home, there are usually four (or more!) full dishwasher loads.  Floors to be swept and vacuumed daily - or twice daily (I have a thing about clean floors!).  Cleaning - the pleasant chores and the not so pleasant ones like toilets and litterboxes - ewww!  Reading and doing lessons with the children.  Grocery shopping, errand running and even doing the little things that make our home pretty and comfortable.  When I'm at home, I'm pretty much on the go from the time I get up, to the time I go to bed at night.  It's a full day, moreso than the 7.5 hours spent in the office.  But at the end of the day, my soul feels satisfied!  It's kind of hard to explain.  But, it's the satisfied feeling you get when what you're engaged in is fully aligned with your purpose.

So yes, homemaking is work!  Not paid work but invaluable nonetheless.  The health of our society ultimately depends on the health of our homes and families.  And that takes work!

Mary Ellen