Homemade Apple Butter

One of my most favorite things to make is

HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER

I do mine in the crockpot. It comes out so yummy.

Here is what you need:

12 Apples-Granny Smith or other cooking apples sliced in 4ths. (I just use whatever I have on hand)


1 1/2 cup of Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Apple Juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon all spice


1 teaspoon nutmag


1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:


Mix all ingredients together and place in slower cooker. A 5-6 quart is making a single batch.


Cover and cook on MED for 8-10 hours. The apples need to be very soft and ready to mash.


Mash apple sauce with a potato masher or large fork.


Slow cook on low for an additional 1-2 hours, uncovered.


Remove from heat source and cool for another 2 hours.


Now it is ready to can. Place in refridgerator, it will last approx 3 weeks.


I usually throw it in the crockpot for the initial long cook over night. Once morning comes its ready to mash and continue. Also makes your house smell very yummy come breakfast.


>And there you have it, yummy apple butter to share and to eat.

We love ours on pancakes, toast, oatmeal. I have even marinated chicken with it.

Fabric Dolls Fabric Turned Into Magnetic Sets

>Many of you have been doing the paper dolls set to magnetic fun. I was thrilled to find this fabric at my local quilt shop and decided this was going to be fun.

It is Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls
Dolls and Clothes multi Pattern


First I cut out around each piece. I did not cut them exact. That will be done once set to the magnetic strips. Once cut apart I placed on the magnetic rolls (purchased at Michaels). Press down very firm to make sure there are no bubbles. I then began to trim each piece more exact.



I took me forever to figure out how to get them on some sort of metal backing as a play board. I went to hardware stores thinking that the metal back splashes would work, or even a dry erase board. All I found seemed not right or too pricey. Then I had a "DUH" moment. I could not believe I didn't think of it first. In fact I feel kinda silly that it took me so long to realize that a cheap cookie sheet was exactly what I was looking for. I got mine at walmart for 89 cents a piece.

This is how they turned out. My girls love them and the tray is perfect for playing and traveling with. This was such a fun project. I could even do it while hanging on the couch with my family on movie night.



There is one step I did not do. I didn't find that mine were lifting at all (even after lots of little hands playing with them) but if you wanted to, Modge Podge-ing it would be a good addition.

{Sew Easy} PHOTO HOLDER BOARD

This is one of my projects from my {SEW EASY} projects.

This is one the kids could help with, however I did mine as gifts for my daughters for Christmas.
All you need is some:
room coordinating fabric,
ribbon,
thin batting,
thumb tacks,
cork board
and a staple gun.

I bought some cheap cork boards at walmart along with a 97 cent thumb tacks.
This project took literally 15 minutes. Just take to cork board and staple the batting around it. Then the fabric. Once done crisscross the ribbon, stapling on the back as well. When the ribbon touches in triangles stick a thumb tack in it to hold them down and secure them down.

Hang on wall and let the kiddos put their little items and photos on it. I just thought they looked cute as a wall coordinate to my girls' rooms.

Family Photos

Usually we stress over family photos at this house. Usually going into a studio, kids feeling parent stress, everyone hot, no one wanting to all look at the same spot. Its usually sheer chaos.



This year we chose to go easy, On everything. Easy outfits, easy location and as casual as we could.

I made each of the girls an outfit out of the same corduroy fabric only each different in their own way and age appropriate.


The photos didn't come out perfect, but they came out sooo much smoother then in any studio.

Sherpa-Faux Fun

For Christmas this year I made each of my daughters a faux fur and faux suede jackets. It was a blast to see these creations become complete. However, my husband was not as thrilled with all the fuzz balls flying all over the place. It was one of my more messy projects, but one I am proud of the results. They turned out darling
Work in progress.
All done, but hanging on the hanger funny.

and the back. This is a knee length coat made for my 6 year old.

Here is a little crop jacket and skirt for my wee one, the 2 year old.

And for my oldest.

Tis' The Season...

I'm backkkkkk. I havent written in a while because 1) I feel like no on reads my posts and 2) Ive been overwhelmed with that pesky thing called life. But Look ahead, as I have many-many projects I have completed an will be soon blogging all about. That is when they are unwrapped and opened from under the tree... Hope this finds you all in a very festive spirit.

Pretzel Party

Today the girls wanted to make something. So we decided on yummy pretzels. We weren't sure how they turned out so we just started with plain. Once we know if these will turn out we plan to make salt ones, chocolate ones, and an all time favorite around here, the Cinnamon/sugar ones. Yum...I went off the food network websites directions for the "Almost-Famous Soft Pretzel.
Learning to twist them "just so" was the best part for us. Many laughs created. And in the oven they go...

They Turned out so yummy and the girls had such a blast with making them from scratch.

Start your adventure here... http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/almost-famous-soft-pretzels-recipe/index.html