Who says I don't have a gift for the party?

 

This weekend we are getting together with our camping group and we are having a late Christmas party.  We normally don't give presents but I wanted to give each family a little something.
When we bought our house, there were a whole bunch of 12x12 tiles in the workshop in our backyard. I vinyled a few for Christmas decorations recently and they turned out cute.  I decided to personalize a tile for each family with their kids, names, pets and a few hobbies.  Before anyone asks, yes, drinking wine is a hobby especially when we are camping.

After I brought four tiles inside, I cleaned each one really good with alcohol and then let them dry completely.  Next, I opened my Silhouette program on my computer and tried to come up with a personal subway art for the family.  After, I cut the 12x12 vinyl out, it was time to weed out the picture. A good transfer tape is the key to moving the vinyl to the tiles as easy as possible.   Because I have shaky hands and my vision isn't great right now, four tiles took me most of the day.  I really didn't mind because at least I know they will not have another one just like it!

I really don't mind sharing them because I know the recipients don't read my blog.    I have really gotten my money out of my Silhouette Cameo.  The price was a little steep at first but I have made Christmas decorations, personalized Bubba kegs for a Disney cruise, personalized beach bags and made most of the decorations for my daughter's house at Texas Tech.  

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits are a great start to any day

It is so easy to pop open a can of biscuits on the weekend but let's face it, they don't compare to homemade.  The frozen biscuits are a good alternative but it still screams store bought.  Here is a good buttermilk biscuit that doesn't take long to make and your family will appreciate the effort.
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
         

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

pinch of baking soda

1/2 cup butter, cubed and cold

3/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 425

In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients.  Next, cut the butter into the mixture until it begins to look like cornmeal. Make an indentation in the middle of the dry mixture and add the buttermilk.  Combine the milk and dry mixture until it starts to pull away from the bowl. Try not to handle the dough too many times.  Place  the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead a few times. Roll out with a rolling pin  into 1/2 inch thickness.  Cut out with a small biscuit cutter that is lightly floured.  Do not twist when cutting the biscuits out, the biscuits will not rise properly.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown

Welcome Home!

I have loved Disneyworld since I was first married.  We have taken our kids many times to see the Mouse.  every time we were there, I would see a sign that said "Disney's Best Kept Secret".  I knew it was a time share but just assumed it was way,way out of our price range. 
My oldest daughter, Megan, was in college at Sam Houston State University and applied for the Disney College Program.  She was chosen to go for the Spring 2011 Semester and was going to "be friends" with Pluto.  I was so excited, another reason for me to go to my favorite place!  This internship came with an added perk for me, if I bought into the Disney Vacation Club, I would receive a percentage off!

She's Official!

After Megan was an official employee of the Walt Disney Company, I talked my husband into letting me buy 220 points at Animal Kingdom Lodge and I believe the original price was $95 a point.  Mind you, that isn't a whole lot of points, but it gets me to WDW once a year.  I am so glad I bought when I did, I just received an email that the points are going up to $155 a point!
My youngest daughter and I went to Orlando for a week to see Megan that semester.  We stayed at Saratoga Springs and were amazed how much more room you have in the DVC rooms.  Not only did you have a kitchen and a normal size bathroom, but a living room, balcony and washer/dryer!  This does only apply to 1 bedrooms and up.

In 2011, I was able to bank my points because I knew I wanted a bigger trip with more people when my girls graduated from high school and college.  After our Disney Dream Cruise with extended family (awesome by the way), we were able to stay in a three bedroom Grand Villa and a two bedroom Value room.  Even my Disney humbug husband was impressed with our accommodations!

Husbands are happy! 

I would love to buy more points but with my kids grown and my Disney humbug hubby, I will just have to visit more often with my Disney obsessed best friend Amy!

Woo, hoo February 22nd, Animal Kingdom here we come! 

 

Simple Strawberry Jam , I love the sound of popping jars!!

My daughter's love Strawberry Jam and go through it like crazy!  When I find strawberries on sale, I usually grab three containers and proceed to make jam.  This is SO much cheaper and tastes 100 times better!!




Strawberry Jam
5 cups hulled and mashed strawberries
7 cups of sugar (crazy I know, but so good)
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 49gram package of powdered fruit pectin
pat of butter

1. Place eight 8 ounce mason jars in a large hot water bath canner and cover with water and bring to a simmer.
2. In a separate pot put the center and lids in a pot of water and simmer.
3. Place the mashed strawberries and lemon juice in a third pot and stir in the pectin until dissolved.  Next, you want to bring the strawberries to a strong boil. 
4. Add the sugar and the pat of real butter, I like to go ahead and measure it out ahead of time, then return the mixture to a full boil.  When the mixture can't be stirred down when boiling, boil for another 2 minutes. 
5. If there is any foam on the top, skim it off.  The pat of butter should make the foam minimal.
6. Remove one jar at a time from the pot and with a large mouth funnel fill the jars so they have 1/4 inch space left at the top. Repeat this until all of the jars are full or jam is gone.
7. Take a knife and run it down the side of the jar to get rid of any air bubbles that may there.
8. Next, you want to wipe down the jars makig sure there isn't any residue left on the edges.  Take the lids and centers out of the pot and screw bands on the jars, making sure not to over tighten. 
9. When all of the jars are secured, put them in the canning rack and place them back into the water with the lid on.  Boil for 10-12 minutes.
10. Turn off the heat and let them rest for an additional 5 minutes before you take them out.
11. Remove jars carefully with a jar lifter and place them on the counter where they can remain undisturbed for 24 hours.  Let the popping begin!!

I need a Disneyworld fix!

I will be at Walt Disney World in late February but I am really needing some of "the happiest place on earth"  in my life right now !

I use to love to go to Magic Kingdom in the morning and go to Main Street Bakery and get their French Toast Loaf.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!  I can't believe they don't serve it anymore : (

At least I have the recipe and can make it whenever I want now, happy girl!

French Toast Loaf
Main Street Bake Shop
Magic Kingdom                    
YIELD: 1 Loaf
Ingredients:

12 slices day-old white bread a home style white does best
8 oz. butter (chilled and sliced)

Brown sugar batch:
9 oz, light brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Mix together and set aside.

Batter:
10 oz. heavy cream
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together and refrigerate until ready to use.
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Let's put it together : )

    Liberally spray a loaf pan with Pam or other vegetable spray. Layer three slices day old bread on bottom of pan. Sprinkle 1/3 brown sugar mixture on top of bread, then layer 1/3 of the butter. Repeat these steps two more times. Top off with three more slices of bread (should have a total of 12 slices of bread). Press down with hand to compact bread into loaf pan.
Slowly pour 16 oz. of batter over top of loaf, covering completely. This may take a little time, to allow it to fully absorb into bread and flow into spaces at bottom. (Take
your time here and pour into corners. Lift bread at corners a little to get into bottom quicker if you want.)
Place loaf pan on some paper towel in case of overflow. Cover top of loaf with parchment paper and wrap top tightly with aluminum foil. Place in refrigerator and allow to sit overnight.
Heat oven to 325º F. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until internal temperature in center of loaf is 160 degrees. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Place a plate on top of loaf pan and invert to remove from pan. Cut into 7 slices and serve.

New Year, New Resolutions!

I haven't been very good about updating this blog.  So, one of my new year resolutions is to do a better job at keeping this blog up to date!  Of course, my second resolution is like everyone else in America, to eat better. This will be very hard for me because I love sweets!

Unfortunately, this new year has already hit my health.  I have been home for over a week now with extreme dizziness and loss of balance.  This blog is going to take me forever to write LOL.  The doctor's are saying either my MS or Meniere's Disease or a combination.  Meniere's Disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance.  It is characterized by vertigo, ringing in the ears and hearing loss.  I had a hearing test scheduled for today but it was postponed due to me still being extremely dizzy.  I am one lucky girl!

I am going to lay down for awhile, I hope everyone has a blessed day!

Dollar Store Crafts!

We live in a small town and have three Dollar Stores.  My favorite is Dollartree because I can always find something to craft with there.  Two weeks again, before all my issues, I found these cute spice jars for a buck.  I bought five thinking I could put my more spices in them.  We'll I am up to 15 and I still need another five.  They looked so cute, I decided to uniform my whole spice cabinet.

Completed so far,

I purchased these jars and they are so cute!  They let you sprinkle on one end and scoop out on the other!  PERFECT : ). After hand washing them and letting them dry, I warmed my trusty Silhouette Cameo up.  There labels are simple to make I purchased a frame from the Silhouette shore and wrote the spice name inside!  Easy Peasy!

Labels waiting to be attached

Close up of the finished product!

Today I am thankful for my Daddy, he has been a rock in my life since my mother passed away!