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Serenity Prayer Key Chain

Serenity Prayer Key Chain

I love this piece!  It is a combination of old and new.  The glass containing the prayer is new made by me and the chain itself is vintage, old meets new.  What a great way to remind us of the serenity prayer.  Would you like one,  shop here and get more information.

How to Make Soap

How to Make Soap


There are plenty of soaps out in the market, but wouldn't it be fun to make them at home with your kiddos or even to make some for the Holidays and hand them out as gifts.  Soap making is a long process and can even be dangerous at times, but this is a simple, easy and safe way to make soap at home with your kids.

 

To make this at home, you will need the following:

  • Glycerin soap/ blocks, clear or white (this only works with glycerin soap so please do not use a substitute.)
  • Soap dye your choice of color
  • Soap molds
  • Microwave safe liquid measuring cup
  • Spoon
  • Stick (Popsicle or stirrer)
  • Knife (adult handle only) 

To Make it:

  • If you use a bar of soap, cut into three pieces.  If you use glycerin blocks, cut off 2-3 pieces.
  • Put glycerin soap into a measuring cup, microwave according to package directions (or 20 seconds), then in 10 second intervals until melted.
  • If you want colors, now is the time to add the dye.  Add a few drops of color and stir.  If you want a darker color, add more dye.

  • Slowly pour the liquid soap into the mold.  Set aside to harden for about an hour.
  • If you are going to make more than one color, then rinse out measuring cup and repeat process for other colors.
  • After the soap has completely cooled, pop it out of the molds, if it is difficult, place it in the freezer for about ten minutes.  Now you have your lovely soap.
Hope you enjoy your soap!


Out and About


Collection of random musings to help make interesting the mundane, enjoy!


)ONE)

We went to a large Corn Maze during the weekend and it was pretty neat.  We shot the corn canon, rode horses, played in a corn box, got lost in the corn maze (note to self-carry mosquito repellent)  My son loved it.


)Two)
My son and I were exploring some more around our new yard, which is a lot bigger than our previous backyard, and to our surprise we discovered this fella.

)Three)
After my Mr. M pulled all the weeds out of the yard, we were able to see the many flowers and shrubs that were hidden by them.  One is this American Beauty Berry, some call it French Mulberry.

I just learned that the roots, leaves, and branches of this plant were used by the Alabama, Choctaw, Creek,  Seminole and other Native American tribes for various medicinal purposes.  The roots, leaves and branches were made into decoction that was used in sweat baths to treat both malarial fevers and rheumatism.  The boiled plant parts were poured into a big pan that was placed near the patient inside a sweat-house  A similar decoction of the roots was used to treat dizziness and stomachaches.  The roots and berries were boiled and drunk to treat colic.  
The American Beauty Berry is also an important food source for birds and other animals. 

As I sat down enjoying the beautiful day, I saw this shape ) in the sky formed by a cloud...
Can you see it?

)Four)
And finally Yesterday we went rollerskating, I haven't roller skated since I was twelve, so that was fun.  Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!  Happy Monday!

Exploring the New Backyard

Today we have explored out new backyard and have captured it in photos, Enjoy!

Our first Monarch Caterpillar


In our last house we made our own bird feeders, this house came with this one, how very cool.

Fall colors?  Not here.

To my lovely surprise, Roses! This rose smells like lemon, love it!


Loving it!

God Bless our new home!

Maybe we'll have fall colors next week!

Flan Recipe

What is Flan?  It is a baked caramel custard with a layer of soft caramel on top, as opposed to creme Brule, which is a custard with a hard caramel top.
My favorite flan (custard) is my grandmother's recipe.  There are different variations, but her recipe is the best in my opinion.  It is so rich, so creamy and so sweet.    

Flan Recipe
Photo by Kelli Stanko

It is a real treat!  

Ingredients:
  • 4 eggs
  • 12 oz. Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk
  • 14 oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • block of cream cheese
Preparation:

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

1. Melt the sugar in pan or small pot over medium heat, you may opt to add a little bit of water to the sugar before melting, it is optional, I personally do not. When melted, lower the heat so that the sugar does not burn.  If it burns it will become bitter. Once the sugar is melted completely, pour it over the pan that the flan mix will go into quickly, then cover with foil.

2. In a bowl, mix eggs, vanilla, salt and all the milk.  Strain the mix, then pour carefully to avoid disturbing the caramel mold candy.  Cover tightly with foil.  Place mold carefully in a casserole dish with water, it will prevent the caramel candy from burning and it's called water bath, bake for one hour covered or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
* You may also use the old fashion way, by cooking it over the stove like my grandma.  For this process use a large pot with a bit of water and place mold in the pot tightly covered.  Do not allow water to splash into custard!!

3. Let it cool to room temperature, then loosen the edge of the flan from mold, place on a tray and turn over mold. Refrigerate before serving.

So, you don' t feel like doing all that hard work but still want flan?  Try these.

Goya Flan, 4-Ounce Units (Pack of 36)

Jell-O Pudding, Flan, 3-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 18)

It's not as rich as the recipe, but still tasty and easy to make, just follow the instructions on the box.  

I Said a Prayer For you Today...


I said a prayer for you today
And know that God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although he spoke no word!

I didn't ask for wealth or fame
(knew you wouldn't mind).
I asked him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind!

I asked that he be near you
At the start of each new day;
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way!

I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small.
But it was for his loving care
I prayed the most of all!





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