i made a cake for the first birthday party of the year for our family. we had a farm birthday party for blondie. she loves animals, amongst other things.

this is where my perfectionist gets too much. i liked the cake, but i see my flaws in it. i did use homemade fondant. i need to get over my cheapness and try out the Satin Ice Rolled Fondant - White - Vanilla - 2 lb  one day and i'm sure i'll be amazed. the fondant was great for the white. and then for the black too. the pink turned out great as wrinkled pig skin. alas... i'll stop my critiquing. 

thoughts???

i had an amazing bath tonight and had to share

put in a bit of epsom salt

add some bentonite clay (this stuff is great for just about everything)

and follow up with some essential lavender oil

enjoy and relax. and help out those muscles and sleep good tonight. i suggest everyone try this little homemade spa!!!Lavender 100% Pure Essential Oil - 30 ml

home made how to's

i have made homemade laundry soap (which i love, just want to put some lavendar in it, when i remember)

homemade hamburger helper --- super duper yummy and cheap!!! it's even cheaper than the 75c you can sometimes find it on sale for. and i think even easier!

homemade hand soap -- i may have cheated on this one. i used dr. bronner's almond all-in-one, diluted and put into the hand soap container that was previously there.

homemade sugar face scrub - LOVE IT

homemade green smoothies every morning.

homemade granola bars - TO DIE FOR!!! oh my, totally love these suckers! i was going to take pictures, and yeah, i forgot until the end. i will add pictures one of these days, but here is the recipe

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 c. flax seed, milled or chia seeds (which is what i used)

1/4 c. quinoa

3/4 c. shelled sunflower seeds

1 c. chopped nuts (any kind or combination)

1 c. shredded coconut (i didn't use any coconut)

1/2 to 1 tsp. cinnamon (desired amount)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. brown sugar or organic agave nectar

1/2 c. honey

2 tsp. molasses

4 T. butter or coconut oil (which is what i used)

2 tsp. vanilla

4 T. peanut butter

1 c. dried, chopped fruit (optional)

1. mix first 8 ingredients together and place on a rimmed baking sheet. toast in a 400 degree oven for 9-12 minutes. watch it so it doesn't burn! stir and let cool at least 15 minutes.

2. bring next 4 ingredients to a simmer, stirring continuously. stir in the vanilla and peanut butter and cool for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. put the toasted ingredients and dried fruit in a large bowl and pour the liquid ingredients over it. mix very well.

4. place parchment or wax paper in the rimmed baking sheet and butter the top side, then place the granola bar mixture in the pan. put another butter sheet of paper, buttered side down, on top of the mixture and press down. (i use silpats instead of parchment or wax paper and they work perfectly!)roll with a rolling pin to make it very tight, smooth, and even.

5. let set for 2-3 hours and cut into desired bar size. makes about 20-24 bars. package in snack size bags or an airtight container. if not using within next few days, store in freezer. they keep very well, and thaw quickly. (really yummy frozen, too!)

i seriously love these suckers!!!

and tonight, i made homemade instant oatmeal. i'll let you know how that goes on monday when princess k eats it for breakfast.

i feel so good doing this. and am amazed with how tasty things are. let me know if you have any recipes... i'm looking for a good homemade dishwasher soap and then also some water kefir starter. i'd rather not pay 20$ for it since i know that they multiply all the time and if i can just find someone with it... alas, time for bed! and to look for more projects to do!!!

my blog is about... whatever i want it to be. i'm a up and coming hippy (i think), a cool mom that loves to make and bake things and a frugalist to the extreme sometimes. in the midst, i'm a working mom that goes to school that is active in church and in a very busy community service group and i love the blog world. here goes my attempt to make my life even crazier... oh yeah. and i'm a perfectionist. who doesn't like capital letters.