Homemade Canned Pickles

Homemade Canned Pickles

We just learned how to can pickles! I used this recipe from Best Canning Recipes. After doing some research it seemed to be the best one. We also canned some green tomatoes from our garden. This process was soooooo easy. The only hard part will be waiting until they are ready to eat!

My First Build: Homemade Headboard

It's finally finished! When I told my boyfriend Ron about my plans to build a headboard he though I was crazy, but then I showed him Anna White's free plans at Knock-OffWood.com and he got the keys.

This headboard was extremely easy to build especially for my first time. I built the whole thing myself and I only used Ron for his truck! I built it out of pine and purchased the wood new, but you could easily use reclaimed wood. I borrowed a saw, and some saw horses from our family friend and got set up in the back yard. It took me about 2 hours building with a hammer. I finished it with two coats of oil based stain and one coat of polyurethane satin finish as suggested on Nicole's blog Create and Delegate. 

First Time Building Advise! 

I have never built anything in my life except for a little airplane out of scraps with my grandpa when I was seven. I'm crafty and I knew it would be a learning process. Some of the things I learned my be obvious to some but new to me!

1. Measure twice and cut once! My boyfriend kept warning me over and over as I was setting up. I took his mantra as a challenge and made every cut perfect, except the last one! I was so excited to be done and I lifted up the last piece only to see that I cut it a foot short. Luckily my neighbor had a scrap 2x4. 
2. Cutting straight: My saving grace during this project was a simple square and clamps. You clamp down the square just up against your guard on your saw so that all you have to do is push through the cut up against the straight edge!
   
   

Hummus

Hummus is one of my favorite foods. It is a great dip for chips or veggies and I also love it on sandwiches & wraps. I've been developing this recipe for years. You'll need a food processor or powerful blender. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 16oz can of drained garbanzo beans (save liquid)
• 2 tbsp tahini  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3-5 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Parsley (optional garnish)

Directions:

1. Cook garlic cloves with the skin still on in olive oil on medium heat for five minutes. Take off the burner and let cool. Peel skin off and cut off the ends of each clove.
2. Blend all ingredients together adding the saved liquid slowly until the desired consistency is reached.
3. For presentation, place in a serving bowl, create a well in the center and pour olive oil into the well. Finish with parsley.

Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also use this base recipe and add other ingredients to make it flavored hummus. Some of my favorite flavors are: jalepeno, roasted bell pepper, extra garlic and sun dried tomatoes.

Homemade Laptop Case

I just got a new laptop and needed a case. I couldn't spend $50-$60 on a laptop sleeve so I made one! Here is the instructions for my basic design. Have fund with it and be creative!

Supplies:

• 1 yard fabric
• 1 yard fabric for lining
• 1/2 yard batting
• 1 pack extra wide double-fold bias tape in coordinating color
• Coordinating thread
• Buttons or velcro

Instructions:

1. Fold your outer fabric and place your laptop against the fold. Measure 1.5" on either side and 2" from the top. Note: if your laptop is thicker measure 2-2.5" on either side. Cut.

2. Fold your lining just like you did in step 1. Place folds together and cut out your lining using your outer fabric for measurment. 

3. Unfold your outer fabric and use this to cut out your batting.

Healthy Breakfast Bars

I never wake up in time to make myself a good breakfast and packaged morning foods are too sweet! Most of the ingredients in my healthy breakfast bars you can get in the bulk section so they are incredibly affordable. This recipe is very versatile because you choose your dried fruit, nuts and spices. Pictured are cranberry/raisin, almond bars with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (your choice)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (your choice)
• 1 1/2 tsp spices (you choice)
• 1 tbsp flax seed (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Toast chopped nuts in a dry pan on medium until golden brown.
3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly with a spoon or your hands.
4. Press into a greased 9x9 pan and bake for 20-25 minutes
5. Let cool completely before cutting into 8 bars.

My cranberry/raisin almond bars are about 190 calories each. They make a great breakfast paired with a piece of fruit or some yogurt.