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Links Inside Posts

I just wanted to let you know that there are links to websites or pics inside the posts. It will be the pink colored words inside the post. That way you don't miss the links to click on as well. have fun reading.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Freezer Dinners--Amy

So, I know this isn't really a craft, but it takes just as much planning and prep work. I also think it is a good skill to learn.

I figured out how to cook 30 meals in one day!! I'm not kidding. there are 2 books that explain how to do it. Dinner is Ready and Lunch Is Ready!! Some meals, like manicoti or stuffed shells are easier to make and freeze because you don't have cook the noodles. You make meals on the stove top, the oven, the crockpot and then assemble some for cooking later. Then you put the meals in freezer bags or disposable tin pans and freeze them. Then all you have to do to get a nice home cooked meal is to defrost it and warm it up.

We have tried several of the meals and they are really good. And you can use a lot of the meals you usually make as long as you follow the rules like don't cook the noodles and don't freeze potatoes. Other great part is that you can make double of the recipe without any extra time and then you have up to 60 meals. I have not done a full 30 meals because I don't have the freezer space. But since I am in school until 4:30-5pm some days I don't have time to make a nice dinner but can't afford to eat out all the time. This is a great solution. You cook one day and have meals for a month.

You can also check out this site http://www.crockpot365.blogspot.com/ This lady makes something in her crockpot every day and has lots of neat recipies. She even can show you how to make soap or Christmas ordiments in your crockpot.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Vote Please--Crystal

Please click on the vote button under Kenna's pic. It will help me win money, if I win the contest, for college. I really need any extra money so I can pay for college that I'm starting this summer.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Purse--Crystal

I finished the purse I started last week. This is the example I used. I really like the fabric I choose for it. It turned out too cute. I didn't have any instructions for it. I didn't want to pay for it, so I just did it myself. I think I did a pretty good job coming up with how to do it.



I'll post some pics soon.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bag--Crystal

I finally finished it. I finished sewing the messenger bag I was making for school. It turned out pretty good. It should work. It is kinda small though. I should have made it bigger. But I like it. You can find the instructions here.

I'll post pics soon.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Cake--Crystal


I made a cake for Easter. Kenna wanted one that was shaped like an egg. It turned out pretty good. I know I need more practice though. Adam helped me to shape it. I did a good job. I did a spice cake and cream cheese buttercream frosting. It was really good frosting. I can't wait to cut into it. It looks and smells so good. It's really fun making these cakes. Kenna likes the creations as well. We will be eating it after Easter dinner with Adam's mom and family. Which I need to go start cooking. Thanks for looking.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Popsicles--Crystal

Kenna has been beeging me to make popsicles. She wanted orange juice ones. I had to find some popsicle makers at the store. It took a lot of looking at Wal-mart to finally find where they had them. So we made them and she loves them. I also make kool-aid ones too. They are really good.



We had gone to my mom's this last weekend (they weren't there though, they were racing, my cosin was having a baby shower) and she had made some for Kenna to have when we were there. Ever since then she hasn't wanted some of her own. Thanks mom for the idea. It's fun to have Kenna help me make things and I like that she wants to try new things.

Freezer Jam--Crystal

Yesterday we made Strawberry Freezer Jam. It was so easy to make.

All you need:
*Strawberries-4 cups
*Freezer Jam Pectin-1 pkg.
*Sugar-1 1/2 cups
*Ball Freezer Jars-5 or 6 8oz jars








  1. Cut strawberries. Then smash the strawberries. I used my meat grinder for my Kitchenaid mixer. Worked really well. Otherwise use a hand smasher.




  2. Mix sugar and pectin in a bowl until blended well.




  3. Add four cups of smashed strawberries. Sitr until well blended for 3 mins.




  4. Ladle into the freezer jars to fill line. Twist on lids. Let set for 30 mintues to thicken. Then put into freezer.




Refridgerate up to 3 weeks. Freeze up to 1 year.


It was fun to smash the strawberries in the meat grinder. It worked so well. I really liked that I didn't have to cook the strawberries and then boil the jars.

I made a double batch. The recipe said you only needed 5 jars, but I think since I used the grinder it made more. I think it's because there was less volume. If you use the hand smasher it wouldn't get the strawberries so smashed. So I needed more jars. That's fine with me. More stuff to have.

I also bought more strawberries then needed and ended with enough to make another batch. So I had 8 lbs of strawberries to begin with. I used almost all but 2 cups of the smashed strawberries. So I ended up with 19 jars of jam. That should last us a while.





Cookies--Crystal

We made cookies for Easter to give to grandparents. Kenna had fun helping me to cut the cookies. We made bunny faces, easter eggs, and butterflies. They turned out so cute. They are made from sugar cookies and iced with royal icing. I used a stiffer royal icing to outline the decor. Then I thinned it down to fill it in. They turned out too cute.

We then made them into a cookie bouquet. I used a plastic container and filled it with easter grass and jelly beans (all 3 bought at the $ store). I had my hubby drill holes in the top of the lid and put the cookies into the holes. I made a card with my Easter saying, punched a hole in the corner, and tied ribbon around one of the cookie sticks and through the card.


We also made Kenna a name cookie using the same technique. Then I let her help we decorate it. She thought it was cool to have one with her name on it just for her.









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Blanket--Jenny


This is a blanket that I made for Rich January 2006, while he was at Great Lakes Naval training. With help from my sister-in-law I cut it somewhat evenly, then we measured the edges and cut strips 1 inch wide, and about 4-6 deep (I can't remember exactly since its been a few years). Then we used safety pins all over to keep the whole thing together in place. Then I tied the lined up strips together and took out the saftey pins. Both fabrics are flannel, so he stayed toasty warm.