What to Do.

I've been making batch after batch of yogurt. Almost everyday I heat up milk, adding dry milk and culture, mixing, cooling and then waiting 6 hours before refrigerating 2 hours. Yes, I'm addicted. I've found a wonderful culture that makes a sweeter yogurt so you don't have to sprinkle in sugar or vanilla and I think I'd eat it all day long if I had an endless supply of blueberries.

The kids and I made smoothies with our yogurt the other day. It was delicious.

Then I pulled out a large metal mixing bowl. My perfect colander and two sheets of cheesecloth.

I made a fresh batch of yogurt and plopped all 4 cups of it onto the cheesecloth.

I let it drain, untouched for 30 minutes. Got a good amount of whey collected in the bottom of the bowl.

 

Then I pulled up the ends of the cheesecloth. Looped a few rubberbands around the end because I couldn't find my kitchen string and plopped it back on the strainer and into the refrigerator. The longer you let the yogurt drain the thicker your end result will be. You can drain it as few as 8 hours and as long as 24 hours. I went for 16, seemed like a good number to start with.

This is what my yogurt looked like after 16 hours of draining in the refrigerator. It's Yogurt Cheese. Though it's not really a cheese, letting the whey drip out of the yogurt turned it into a cheese consistancy.  Dump the yogurt cheese into another dish and wash out your cheesecloth, and hang up somewhere to dry.

I smoothed the yogurt cheese into a nice serving dish and poured the whey into a jar. I can't believe how much whey dripped out of the yogurt in 16 hours. I need to find something to do with the whey, it just say around for a day or two while I tried to figure out how to use it. I will figure out how to use it!!!

Then I made a non-bake Yogurt Cheesecake. So yummy. It didn't set up like I was hoping and I think the next time I make this I'll let my yogurt drain for a full 24 hours if cheesecake is on the menu.

Then I cut the crusts off of two slices of then white bread. I mixed some honey and a few drops of vanilla extract into 1/4 cup of yogurt cheese and spread that on one side of the bread. Then I thinly sliced some peaches and layered them just so on top of the yogurt cheese. Looks good doesn't it?

Then I dry grilled them in a hot skillet, about 2 minutes on each side.

Transfer to a plate and drizzle with a little more honey.

Then let your 13 year old daughter come in and eat them all before you get a bite and have to make a whole new sandwich!

I'm going to make Yogurt Pancakes next. I hear they are more like a dessert pancake than a breakfast pancake...sounds perfect for me and my crew.

Shirt Scarf.

I picked up this soft, blue, shirt in December. I feel in love with it immediately. The fabric hangs perfectly and the fit was.....just....so....right. Then my mom decided to do my laundry. I forgot I had thrown this new, wonderful, dry clean only shirt in with the other dirty laundry. Needless to say, she washed it, and shrank it. It's now a wonderful, small, belly shirt, which I refuse to wear. I'm still in love with the shirt and fabric though and wanted to get some use out of it.

I cut the top edge and sleeves off of the shirt. Then I cut the sleeves off the top binding part of the shirt. (Though I didn't take a picture of that part)

I cut through one of the side seams to make the body part of the shirt one long piece. Then I came in about an inch and a half on each side and sewed a straight seam and gathered it to make the outer ruffles. Then I ran a seam right down the middle and gathered it into a ruffle as well.

Evan Grace wore it for awhile and even tried to get in on the picture taking. So sweet.

I cut through the seams of each sleeve and attached them one to each end of the ruffle scarf. This was so quick and so simple. I used the hems already in the shirt to finish off the edges and ends. Plus, I can wear this creation two different ways for two different looks. The picture on the left is a great one of the sleeves sewn onto the ends of the scarf.

So excited!

Did you see it too?

I mean did you look over there on the right side of my page and see it???

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you.

I thought they were, I even blinked a couple of times before taking my glasses off and rubbing my eyes pretty hard.

It's still there.

No kidding.

Read it again, because I know you're already doubting yourself.

One more look, those 2 precious, wonderful words....Calibelle's Madhouse.

My best friend finally updated her blog....finally.....I'm so excited.

Go on, click on it and take a look at her past year in pictures. You'll enjoy it and now that I've made such ado about it you feel somewhat intrigued and a tad obligated.

Slow Cooker Candy

Slow Cooker Candy, or as I like to call it.....Candy of the Gods. Honestly, it's like a giant batch of Mr. Goodbar candy bars, but in a cookie like form. Amy, over at The Bear Tracks, was kind enough to share this fabulous recipe with me to help continue my addiction to my slow cooker. :) This recipe makes a ton of cookies/candy so you can share with friends, family, coworkers, or okay you can just keep them all to yourself. :) I was kind enough to share with those around me, the second batch though, may just stay inside these four walls.

Slow Cooker Candy1 jar (16 oz) dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
1 jar (16 oz) dry roasted peanuts, salted
1 pkg. (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bar (4oz) German chocolate, broken into pieces

3 lbs. (or 2 planks) white bark, broken into pieces

Put ingredients into a 4 or 5 quart crock pot in order listed.

Cover and cook 3 hours on low. DO NOT REMOVE LID.

Turn off and cool slightly.

Mix thoroughly.

Drop by teaspoonfuls (I went big and used fat Tablespoons) onto waxed paper.

Let cool completely.

Ruffles, Owls, Stripes and Mermaids.

I've been an apron machine here lately. Not only have I gotten my hands on some fun and pretty fabric but I picked up a few new patterns and sat down to try them all at once. This first one, the ruffle apron, has to be my favorite, though I don't think I'll ever wear it. Who would want to risk getting this dirty while cooking and cleaning?

Ruffle Apron

Remember this fabric from my Christmas loot? I found some coordinating yellow/gold fabric for the pockets and neck band. How cute is this? It hangs and wears just like a dress. So very cute and I love the wide neck/shoulder bands. I have a lot more owl fabric and I'm thinking of finding a coordinating pink fabric for the next one.

Owl Apron

I made this apron for Isaac. When I tied it on him, I immediately wanted to send him outside to the grill so he could whip us up some steaks. :) I added the hand buttons on the top corners and one on the pocket to help break up all the strips. I think this could work as an art apron as well. Maybe next one I make like this I'll add a row right below the pocket to hold markers or crayons. Who knows, the possibilities are endless right?

Art-Cooking Apron for Boy

Evan Grace's apron, take two. Finally, I had to shorten the bodice and come in an inch on the sides of the skirt just to get this size 3/4 apron to fit Ev's small frame. She was so excited it was finished and she's lived in this apron for days now. "What can I do for you now?" Is a question she asks every few minutes. I love that she wants to put her apron to good use. Isaac, on the other hand, well I'm just glad he wore it for a few hours. As for putting it to good use? Who are we kidding?

Little Mermaid Apron.

Wordless Wednesday.

Let's make Yogurt.

I mentioned in my Birthday Festivities post yesterday that I was back to making homemade yogurt. I started this almost 2 years ago when my mom and dad gifted me with a yogurt maker one year for Christmas. Store bought yogurt has nothing on homemade yogurt, nothing.  The process is so easy, even if you don't have a sweet yogurt maker like I do.

Start with 4 cups of milk, whole, 2% or skim, doesn't matter. The more fat in the milk the thicker it will be so it's up to you.  Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup dry milk, if you want a little thicker add in the 1/2 cup if you're not bothered by thickness of your yogurt you can go with 1/4 cup. It's totally up to you and doesn't hurt the yogurt one bit if you play around with this measurment.

Heat the milk over medium high heat for a few minutes, stir frequently. DO NOT LET THE MILK BOIL. This kills the active bacteria in the milk and your milk will not make it to the yogurt stage. I usually pull the milk off the stove a minute or two after steam has started to rise off the milk and the top gets a little frothy.

Now you need to let the milk cool to a lukewarm temperature. You can place the pot in the fridge for about 20 minutes, stiring every few minutes and testing to see if it's cool enough. Or you can use my trick and put the hot pot of milk in the sink in a water bath, with ice cubes. If you do it this way, (keep stiring of course) then it'll only take 4 or 5 minutes until the milk is lukewarm. Don't let your milk drop below 90 degrees, the bacteria will go inactive, so if you have a candy thermometer you can use it for yogurt as well.

At this point you want to go ahead and plug in your yogurt warmer to get it pre heated so you don't drop the temperature of your milk when you pour it in.  

Sadly, I've left out a picture of the next step. Take 1/2 cup of  store bought yogurt with live cultures and mix it in a seperate bowl until smooth. Pour in some of the lukewarm milk, like 1/2 cup and mix the two together until smooth. DON'T STIR TO HARD; just mix until smooth. Then add this mixture back to the pot of lukewarm milk and stir gentle until mixed in. This step adds in your cultures that will start the yogurt process.

Pour your luckwarm milk mixture into the yogurt container that came with your yogurt maker (if you have one, if not I'll explain how to do this step later). Snap on the lid.  

 

Place the container in your pre-heated yogurt warmer and cover with the outer lid.  

 

I got a set farther and cover my maker with a dish towel, sometimes two. If your house is drafty or if the only clear counter space you have is close to a window you should cover your warmer with a dish towel as well. The warmer your maker the quicker your yogurt will firm up.  

If you like tart yogurt then let your yogurt set up to 10 hours, if you want a more mild tasting yogurt like I do then go about 4-6 hours. I prefer 5, I'm not sure that 4 hours or 6 hours would make all the much difference but I've found after batch and batch of this stuff that 5 is my number for perfect yogurt. After you've timed your yogurt depending on how tart or non-tart you would like carefully move the inner container to the fridge for at least 2 hours. This just helps firm up the yogurt and cools it completely so that the bacteria/cultures go inactive.
After 2 hours you're ready to eat yogurt. This will keep in the refrigerator at least 5 days, if it lasts that long. It never makes it past day 2 in my house. :)  Now you can use 1/2 cup of your homemade yogurt as your yogurt starter for your next batch instead of store bought.

Now you're ready to enjoy. Sprinkle on some Splenda and Granola for a delicious, healthy snack.

Or you can drop in some fresh blueberries and eat an entirely large bowl of yogurt after the kids go to bed.

 

If you don't have a yogurt maker/wamer then follow these directions for warming your yogurt:

Prewarm a thermos by rinsing it with warm water. Pour in the lukewarm milk already mixed in with the 1/2 cup yogurt starter and seal the thermos. Leave for 4 - 10 hours, depending on how tart you want your finally yogurt. Remove the lid and place thermos in the refrigerate to chill. Once chilled move the yogurt into a glass jar or any container with a lid and store in the refrigerate.

There are other methods, that use glass jars and towels inside a larger cooler with a lid. I haven't tried this method but I do hear that it works.  Let me know if any of you out there give it a try.

Birthday Festivities

Everyone knows that candles don't lie, especially when they have been set aflame.

My mother decided this was the time to try and learn how to use all the settings on her camera for the best shot, made my dad and twin sister stand amidst the messy kitchen for this picture. I don't know about you, but I think she should have been practicing the past few days.

My dad to my mom, " You should take pictures of mannequins instead of people. "

(Isn't my sister sassy with her hip cocked out like that? )

I did make out with some great birthday loot though. More sewing books and patterns (I'm so excited about the Amy Butler book on the bottom...when I grow up....I want to be Amy Butler)

The Book of Yogurt....you'll see with some posts to come this week that I'm back on making my own yogurt and not just yogurt but cheese, soft cheese to be more exact. This book is full to bursting with recipe after recipe of dishes including yogurt. I can't wait to whip up some goodies from this book. Oh the nifty flower book is a journal from my sister, so very cool. I love journals.

I'm ready to be 32, I'm embracing it......32.....bring it on!

They say it's your Birthday.

Today is my birthday. I'm 32. I've always been fascinated with people in their thirties, though I'm not sure why. I didn't freak when I turned 30 two years ago. My twin sister, however, had a small meltdown.

I have hope that this year is going to be incredible, full of new opportunities, and self confidence to venture into the unknown.

Try try again.

I posted about this apron the other day. I was so excited to finish it and tie it on Evan Grace. She was excited to, asking me over and over if it was done yet, what we were going to do when she got to put it on. I was more excited because she was so excited about her first real apron.

*sigh*


Then I slipped it over her little arms, crossed the ties behind her shoulders and tied it. Spun her around with a big smile plastered on my face and nearly screamed out loud in frustration because the dang thing was tooooo big on her. I guess a 4/5 on this pattern isn't really a 4/5 but more like a 5/6. She was disappointed to and kept telling me that it was okay, she could still clean up in it. :)

I'm going to make her another one though. My god brother (yes it does sound like I'm in the mafia, but not, honestly I'm not, but if I were would I really blog about it? Jeesh...come on) anyway, my god brother's girlfriends little girl (yes, it's complicated) was having a birthday party and she's bigger than Evan Grace. So we gifted her with this homemade princess apron that I really think once it fits right can be used as a play dress as well.

I am looking forward to making another one of these. I adore this pattern and I'm going to let Evan Grace pick out her own fabric again, who knows what she'll end up with. :)