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Camping Crafts

July 30, 2020 by Mary Ellen Stringham Leave a Comment

We love to go camping with the grandchildren. I always carry a box full of different supplies just for our camping grafts. There are always those lazy warm afternoons in between hiking, lunch, going to the lake, bike rides, etc., that the kids want to do something and parents/grandpa, want to take a nap.

We had to cancel some of our other vacations due to COVID-19. As a result we were happy for a little longer camping trip this Summer. We went well prepared.

My daughters and I brought lots of craft supplies to help entertain the troops and we all had a blast making a variety of crafty things.

Who would have thought that pom poms, or puff balls as the kids call them, would be so popular.

We didn’t stop with pom pom critters, we made foam animals as well.

Thanks to Pinterest we were able to find lots of ideas, monkeys, unicorns, dragons, cats and much more.

Besides animals we made felt camp journal covers thanks to the cute patterns at Bareroots.

We made corner origami bookmarks that look like monsters…

and para-cord bracelets. Some of the kids had 4 or 5 of them up their arms. We had a great time being creative and keeping kiddos busy.

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Buttermilk Croissants

November 28, 2019 by Mary Ellen Stringham Leave a Comment

There is nothing my family loves more than fresh homemade rolls. We have a favorite recipe but occasionally I like to change things up. This time it was “Buttermilk Croissants“. They take a little more time but well worth the effort.

You make them the night before. Roll out and bake the next day fresh for dinner. Yum! Fresh hot rolls

Recipe

2 1/2 tsp yeast

1 cup warm water

3/4 cup, plus 1 Tbsp buttermilk

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg, slightly beaten

5 cups flour

1/4 cup butter, just melted and cooled

1 cup cold butter, cubed

To a large mixing bowl add warm water and use a fork to mix in yeast. When yeast is dissolved add buttermilk, salt , sugar, beaten egg, 1 cup flour and melted butter. Blend well.

In another mixing bowl add remaining 4 cups flour and cut in cubed butter. Make sure all flour is well blended. Add the butter flour mixture into the buttermilk yeast mixture. Mix until large ball forms. Don’t over mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 10 hours.

Remove dough from refrigerator and kneed well making a large smooth ball. This is an important step to wake up the yeast. Divide in half and make two balls. On a floured surface roll one ball at a time into a 14 inch circle. With a sharp pointed knife or pizza cutter cut into 12 equal wedges. Roll each wedge starting at the wide end to form the croissant shaped rolls. Place on greased baking sheet and let raise about 4 hours or until doubled in size.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Optional, brush with melted butter. Makes 2 dozen.

Try some for your next family dinner.

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Honey Mustard Chicken

November 22, 2019 by Mary Catherine Scott Leave a Comment

My family has gotten into a rut. We have gotten very busy and have become a bit lazy when it comes to dinnertime. Cooking meals and preparing for them is difficult at the end of the day. I decided it was time to start looking ahead. I have been looking and finding things that my family will eat. My children are somewhat picky. I am likely the one to blame for this, but it is what it is and we have to work with it. Luckily for me, my children have decided that chicken is good. They have their usual ways that they like it the most, but are usually up to trying it in new ways. This started us on a path of new ways to cook chicken. This gives us a better chance at everyone liking it.

As a working mom, I love being able to come home and have dinner waiting for us to eat it. Really, even if just part of it is ready that’s a step up from our usual routine of come home and cook all of dinner. This is where the slow cooker comes in. It is by far one of the most under used tools in my kitchen, but one of the best for our busy lifestyle. Hopefully, we will start using it more again as we find new things to cook in it that everyone will eat.

This honey mustard chicken is probably one of the simplest and easiest recipes I have posted, but it was also a big hit at our house. As it is the base protein for the meal it pairs well with many things. So, we chose to pair it with Oven Fried Potatoes – a favorite at our house – and some steamed fresh vegetables.

Honey Mustard Chicken

2lbs raw chicken breasts
1 bottle favorite honey mustard dressing

Directions

Place raw chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Pour dressing all over chicken.
Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours.

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Yummy Nanaimo Bars

November 7, 2019 by Mary Ellen Stringham Leave a Comment

Nanaimo Bars are one of those desserts easy to have a love hate relationships with. They are so richly wonderful you love to eat them and after you have eaten too many you hate them. Make them for any occasion.

I don’t make Nanaimo Bars very often. For family members celebrating a birthday I try to make their favorite dessert. Nanaimo Bars are easily one of Patrick’s favorite. He was our October birthday. My husband and I took trip to Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada a few years ago where I found this recipe. I am reminded of that trip each time they are made.

Bottom Layer

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

5 tbsp cocoa (dry)

1 egg beaten

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares)

1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (I start with slivered almonds)

1 cup coconut

Melt first three ingredients in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into a unreleased 8′ X 8″ pan.

Middle Layer

1/2 cup butter

2 tbsp + 2 tsp cream

2 tbsp vanilla custard powder

2 cups powdered sugar

Cream butter, cream, custard powder and sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.

Top Layer

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate ( 1 oz each )

2 tbsp butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. When cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.

Make some today. You’ll become a lover too!

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Outdoor Holiday Arrangement

October 23, 2015 by Mary Ellen Stringham Leave a Comment

Last December we went to a outdoor holiday market and saw these wonderful outdoor arrangements made from all sorts of greenery. As we continued to walk the market, John said, ” we could make one from all the trees and scrubs we have in our yard and it wouldn’t cost hardly anything.” When we got home we decided what to use and got started.

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