Creation Book

 We have just completed our first 7 days of My Father's World Kindergarten curriculum.  The days went quickly since the first two weeks are meant to be more of an introduction, but we have really enjoyed it so far.  One of the activities we did was make a creation book.  The mom in me wanted it to look really cute, but I also want to look back and see what her artwork looked like when she was little.  So we talked about what happened each day, then she drew a scene about it.  I did get a few tips from the teachers guide (cotton balls for clouds, white crayon on black paper for stars), but as you will be able to tell, Elie was able to do this book herself.  Now I can tell exactly what each picture is (because I'm her mom), but I know not everyone will.

I just adore that handwriting!

This day was simple.  Glue, paper, done!

She painted the water and added cotton balls for clouds.

Elie made grass, trees (with apples), and bushes (with grapes and strawberries).

White crayon on black paper for the stars and moon.

Stickers helped out this day.  Not sure how it would look if she had to draw fish and birds.

Here are Elie's man, woman, and animals.  Oh through the eyes of a 3 year old.

Easiest day of all!

Pinterest Challenge #26 & #27 - Homemade Ice Packs

Both of these ice packs sounded great on Pinterest so I decided to perform a little experiment.  Here's what I did:

Alcohol Ice Pack - I followed One Good Thing's instructions and mixed 1 part rubbing alcohol and 3 parts water.  Pinterest Link

Dawn Ice Pack - I followed Fun, Cheap, or Free's instructions and just put Dawn straight into the bag.  Pinterest Link

I stuck them in the freezer and waited a few days to compare.  When I removed them from the freezer, both bags were practically frozen SOLID - not the mushy ice pack they both read to be.  So I came up with another solution that involved more Alcohol.  

I removed both ice packs and let them thaw.  I then took another bottle of rubbing alcohol and mixed half of the bottle into each bag, and then I refroze.  This time, I was impressed.  The packs are both much more mold-able than the first time.  I hope to soon sew little patches for them to fit into.

Pinterest Challenge #25 - Creme Brulee

We were having a completely Louisiana inspired meal with another couple (where we made home made sausage and boudin), so I tried my hand for the first time at Creme Brulee - and oh my, it was delicious.  I really couldn't believe how simple this was to make.  I've ordered it at several places, and only had superb Creme Brulee on the cruise Chris and I took for our honeymoon.  A lot of times, it can taste like a boring flan, but this recipe turned out great!  Here's what you need to make it:

• 6 egg yolks
• 6 Tablespoons of white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream
• 4 Tablespoons of brown sugar
• A little butter to grease the ramekins

WARNING:  It really is a simple recipe, but it takes time.  You can't just throw it together last minute.  Give yourself at least 3-5 hours for it to be fully done.

1. Whisk the yolks in a mixer for a couple of minutes.
2. Add the white sugar and keep whisking.
3. Add the cream and keep whisking (I think I'm seeing a pattern here). 
4. Butter six ramekins and place them into a pan.  Fill the pan with warm water until the water goes halfway up the ramekins.
5. Bake at 275 degrees uncovered for about 45 - 50 minutes.
6. Remove pan from oven and allow the entire pan to cool (do not take the ramekins out of the water).
7. Once they are at room temperature, chill them in the fridge for a couple of hours.  
8. Adjust your oven rack to be rather close to the broiler (about 3-5 inches)
9. sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar on the top of each Creme Brulee
10. Set in a baking pan and closely watch them broil.  The tops should be brittle, yet not burnt.
11. Remove and enjoy.  You can chill it after broiling, but we just dug right in and enjoyed!

Pinterest Link
Original Recipe

Pinterest Challenge #24 - Apple Pie Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas

We recently attended an apple play date, so I was eager to try out this recipe.  I took the above picture before I began cooking.  The original recipe called for corn starch, but I ended up not needing to use it.  A few moms asked for the recipe, so here it is:

• 4 apples peeled, cored, and diced
• 3 Tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice
• however many tortilla you want (I only used two burrito sized ones)
• butter (to your liking)
• cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling on tortillas

Combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice into a pan and cook over medium-heat.  I cooked it for about 12-15 minutes.  I wanted my apples to not be too crisp, more of a cooked taste.  While that was cooking, I spread a little butter on my tortillas, added cinnamon and sugar, and cup them up into triangles.  Then I placed them in a 415 degree oven for 5-6 minutes until brown.  

Voila!  I served it warm, but it did taste good cold later on.  Either way, it is up to you!

Pinterest Link

Original Recipe

Pinterest Challenge #23 - Chess Squares

Years ago at a scrapbooking convention in Natchez, my mom and I discovered these wonderful creations known as chess squares.  Oh, they are so good.  My mom made them last year at Christmas-time, and they were delicious.  A few nights ago, I had a little time to throw together a quick dessert for a Bible study we were attending that night.  It was a huge hit, and I was glad none came back home because I didn't want the temptation lurking in the house!  So, here's what you need to make it:

1 stick of melted salted butter
1 box of yellow cake mix
8 ounces of softened cream cheese (I used fat free - I had to make up for the butter somehow)
3 eggs
3 cups of powdered sugar

First, mix cake mix, melted butter, and one egg to form a soft dough.  Press this dough into the bottom of a 9x13 sprayed pan.

Mix powdered sugar, two eggs, and softened cream cheese for about 2 minutes.  Pour on top of pressed dough.

Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown.  ENJOY!  It is so good!

Pinterest Link
Original Recipe

Pinterest Challenge #22 - Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles

I LOVE pumpkin!  It may be one of my favorite things about Fall, so on September 1st, I busted out the first can of pumpkin and made these pumpkin cheesecake trifles.  Here's what you need to make 4 medium sized individual trifles:

• 6 Biscoff Cookies crumbled
• 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
• 8 ounces of cream cheese (softened)
• 3/4 cup of pumpkin
• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• two cups of whipped cream (I used homemade)
• caramel sauce

1. Combine cookie crumbs and butter then place at the bottom of your glasses.
2. With a mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. 
3. Add cinnamon, pumpkin, and powdered sugar and beat until combined.
4. Fold in 3/4 cup of your whipped cream.
5. Layer pumpkin cheesecake on top of crust, then follow with whipped cream, another layer of pumpkin cheesecake, and another layer of whipped cream.  
6. I drizzled the top with caramel sauce, and put them in the fridge for about 45 minutes so they were chilled.

Delicious recipe, but they were not nearly as pretty as the picture.  I could have been neater with the layers, but we were in a rush.  Oh well, they were still eaten without a problem!  I will make them again this year for sure!
Pinterest Link
Original Recipe

Pinterest Challenge #21 - Invisible words

This project was named magic letters, but I try to stray away from 'magic' type things and teachings.  So we called it INVISIBLE WORDS.  The project was simple.  I cut out a few pieces of paper and wrote with a white crayon.

 I chose to write a few letters and words that Elie knows how to read.  She was given a cup with a mixture of 50% paint/50% water and painted on the paper to see what letter/word was written.

I did find the first word or two hard to read, so with the remaining words I went over it a few times with the white crayon before she painted.





Super easy idea and lots of fun!
Pinterest Link
Original Instructions