cherry tart

I didn't have time, (or didn't make time) to get any baking done before Christmas so during Christmas break I am doing some Valentines baking...

...the easy way.

First, you buy store bought crust, and store bought pie filling.

Yes, sigh, you've got me, this isn't all exactly homemade, but the pie filling said that it's a new formula--it doesn't use High Fructose Corn Syrup and it is now and always has been gluten free so it's gotta be wholesome.

Right?

So today we baked a wholesome and homemade treat.

Cherry Tarts.  That's what I'm calling them.

These little treats can be for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines  (balemtimes as my four year old calls it) or when ever you just want a delicious treat.


Let me show you...

Nativity Scene Up Cycle

Rescue Scene

 I don't usually actually get holiday decorating finished on time, let alone early.  Usually, it is either put off until the last minute, or not done at all.

Halloween?  Nothing. (except last minute costumes) (that were pretty great if I do say so myself) (I think I work better under pressure..)

Thanksgiving?  Nothing.

But, for Christmas, we already have our tree up (undecorated, but up).  I have the cinnamon scented pine cones out, and I have finished re-doing a wonderful Nativity Scene that I picked up at a thrift store last spring.  I'm thinking it's a pre-Christmas miracle that it lasted through a move and sat in my garage until now and didn't get broken.  Yep, it's a miracle.

Here are the before and afters...

max mix--guest post

Do I have a treat for you.

A friend--an ollllllllllddddd friend from the good ole high school days, is guest posting for me today. 

dutch oven bag

Do you go camping?

Do you cook with a dutch oven?

Do you cook with a dutch oven while camping?

Do you hate the black, dirty mess you get when you pack away your dutch oven?

Well then I have something for you...

homemade weed killer

They say too much salt kills...

That may be why this homemade weed killer works so good.

bread fail

My grandma always said, "the whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead."

Bottling Tomatoes

It's tomato time.  I just have to include this post on the all-things-canning-channel because they are simply (pun intended) the easiest thing to bottle imo.

dutch oven artisan bread

 I mentioned to my hubby that I saw on Pinterest a bread that you bake in a dutch oven and his ears perked right up.

homemade laundry soap

I'm on my soap box today...

 

...about homemade laundry soap.

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

Who knew making mozzarella cheese was so simple!?

Ok, maybe my husband should ask that question....because he made this.  

He's been talking about making cheese for a while.  Here's a tutorial of sorts. 

"breakfast" rolls

I like to experiment in the kitchen.  I'm a scientist at heart.

brownie in a mug

Sometimes you just need a treat. 

Have you ever heard of one minute cake in a mug?   Some of you probably have.  It. Is. DeLIGHTful.  Upon googling a recipe, I came across BROWNIES in a mug.

 D. I. V. I. N. E.

 I call brownies in a mug, wait for it...