Cold Brewing Iced Latte's - DIY

There's coffee and then there's iced latte's.  For me, having a tall iced latte in the morning is much better than the hot stuff.  Of course if I were to buy an iced latte every day, I'd be spending a fortune and I can think of much better things to spend my money on like this awesome cheese making book I've had my eye on for a few days.

Iced latte's are made with espresso, or a concentrated brew of coffee.  Because it's basically 1/2 milk and 1/2 coffee, the coffee needs to very strong.  Through a lot of trial and error, I finally came up with a great recipe that resembles the latte's I love from Starbucks.  It starts with cold brewing your coffee.

What's Needed

Large bowl with lid or Ziplock Bag, gallon size

1/2 lb. coffee, ground

5 cups water

Start by placing 1/2 pound of coffee in bowl and mixing in 5 cups of water.  You can also use a zip top bag.  Stir this together, making sure it's blended well.  If using a bowl, cover with plastic wrap.  Store in fridge for 12-24 hours.

Figuring out this part included a lot of different things but what I found that works best is straining the muddy mixture through a cheesecloth OR in a traditional coffee pot.  

If you are using a coffee pot, simply set a filter in the basket of your coffee pot, place the carafe under and pour the mixture directly into the filter.  You may have to change out your filter 1 or 2 times during this process...but it really is the easiest way - well, for me anyway.  :)

If you don't have a traditional coffee pot, you can strain your coffee in cheesecloth over a sieve.  Cheesecloth can be found in your local Wal-mart or from here.

You'll be left with a coffee concentrate.  Use a 1:1 ratio adding milk for latte's and hot water for a traditional cup of coffee. 

Just keep your cold brewed coffee in the fridge and it'll last a couple of days.  I usually have 1 bowl brewing at all times - it doesn't last long in this house.  ;)

When you're ready, just add 1 part coffee and 1 part milk with whatever sweetener you prefer and that's it!  If you want to get fancy, you can add in flavorings.  They're pretty much available everywhere so get creative!

:)

Happy Brewing!

Re-potting Clearance Plants

Now is the time of year you will begin to see many plants in your local big box stores...some of those plants however, look a little run down.  Some of them are on the verge of death from lack of care.  I guess ringing up all that milk and bread (or standing in the aisle talking on their cell phones) keeps employees from tending to them like they should.  The best thing about these sorts of plants is that most of these type stores tend to dramatically reduce the costs - giving you an excellent opportunity to test your gardening skills!

There's a few things you will always do when you buy plants from a store - no matter if they are healthy or not.  First things first, re-plant.  

Most of these plants have been growing in this same soil since it was a seed or seedling and in most cases, the plants is starving for water (or, drowning!) so re-planting in a fortified soil is key for healthy plant growth.
I use Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix.  I've found that it seems to really protect the plant against over and under watering.  Whatever you choose, make sure to get a soil that is specially formulated for whatever plant you are re-planting (house plants, or in-ground plants).

On my last trip to Lowe's, I found these great plants on clearance for just $4.99.  That was a 70% discount! They were located on a rolling cart at the very bottom, hidden from view by other not-so-hardy looking plants.  I pulled them out and noticed they had new shoots all over them - what a shame to have them wasting away - so I popped them into my cart and rolled straight to the check-out.  

They don't look so bad, huh?

You can't see it well, but the yellow sticker says, $4.99.  <happy dance>

These particular plants were pretty healthy considering how root-bound they were.  As you can see from the picture above, the roots were wrapped pretty tightly around itself.  When a plant is like this, all you have to do is break apart the root ball and get the dirt off.  

You can also see the water spots that are on the leaves.  This is an easy fix.  If the spots are from hard water, just mix 2 or 3 drops of dish soap with 20 ounces of water.  Lightly mist the plant's leaves and wipe the leaves with a clean, dry cloth.  Or, for just a few leaves, use a cotton swab dipped in half water, half vinegar solution to spot clean leaves.  Wipe those leaves with a dry cloth when done.  

Store the water that you will use to water your plant for 24 hours in an open container on the counter.  This will help to dissipate any chemicals in the water to evaporate before being used to water plants and prevent hard water spots from re-forming on your leaves.

Freedom!  The roots are no longer bound and flow freely.

I did knock off a little more of the dirt when I re-potted it.  Actually, I shook it and the dirt went flying...all over my hair and in my mouth, I might add.  Never shake a plant on a windy day.  Lesson learned.  

Ta-da!

Easter Gardens

My nieces are coming over for a visit next weekend to plant pumpkins that I will be using for an October wedding I am directing.  Since our hands will already be covered in dirt, I've decided that we will make an Easter Garden too!  Here's a few I found as inspiration.  See the tutorial by clicking the picture.  :)

Photo: A Soft Place

Photo:  Top Of The Page

Photo: Lilliedale

Photo: Better Home & Gardens

Photo:  Contented Sparrow

Photo:  Kimberlee Conway Ireton

Photo: Joy Filled Family

Photo: Happy Home Fairy

I think my favorite is the one by Kimberlee Conway with the Joy Filled Family coming in at a close second.  Which one is your favorite?

Make At Home - Healthy Doggie Treats

I don't know if you know this about me but my family raises and breeds shih-tzu's.  Currently, we have 6 and keeping them happy and content with treats and goodies can be quite expensive.  

Since we are changing our eating habits, going more au-natural and choosing a more plant based diet, I wondered if I could whip up something that my fur-babies would love that would be more beneficial to them.  

I wondered around pinterest and searched on google and found some really great dog snacks but nothing I thought my babies would enjoy.  They really love cold stuff and sharing a bowl of ice cream with Mr. Wonderful in the evenings is kinda their thing.  Because we've been raising dogs for years, I know that they can tolerate honey, peanut butter and yogurt and a quick call to Dr. Doug (our most wonderful Vet) gave me the idea of bananas.

After that, it was simple enough.  

You want to use bananas that are very ripe and somewhat mushy. 

2 Mashed bananas

2 Tbsp. honey

2 Tbsp. peanut butter 

Big container of plain yogurt.

You can use just about anything to freeze your portions.  These portions are big enough for me to split each container into 2 servings (my babies have little mouths.)  :)  I think next time I may use the small paper cups and put Popsicle sticks in them - you know, like mini-furbaby Popsicles! 

Surely I don't have to remind anyone using the paper cup idea that they to remove the paper before giving to Fido.

As you've probably noticed, these are completely edible so if you think you would enjoy a frozen yogurt snack, you can change up the recipe.  I haven't tasted these yet - my aversion to bananas is winning out and I just can't bring myself to trying it.  But, Mr. Wonderful has agreed to eat one later this evening so I'll report back and let you know what he thinks!  

If you try this or have a similar recipe, please comment!  I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!  

Happy Whisking!

DIY Mini Greenhouses

I don't know about you but I absolutely growing things.  I love having my hands in dirt and planting seeds - knowing that if I nurture them, they will grow into abundance for me and my family.  No matter if it's veggies for canning or flowers to grace our kitchen table - everything God has made is for us, for our benefit and it makes my heart truly happy to take part in that in gracious gift.

I've learned a lot through trial and error.  First, I just grabbed some seeds and threw them into a pot and covered with soil.  I did nothing else.  Needless to say, I didn't have much luck - only about 25% of the seeds I'd planted germinated.  So, I fired up Google and went searching.

I found a ton of great information and indoor greenhouses but  they were quite expensive.  I knew what I needed so I went on a creative hunt in my house and shed to see what I could come up with and within an hour, I had everything I would need for not one, but several makeshift mini greenhouses that cost me nothing to make.  But, if you don't already have the supplies on hand, it won't cost you much at all to get started.

Here's what you need

1.  Pots

Keep in mind that you can use absolutely anything to start seeds in.  You can use the bottom half of milk jugs or soda bottles, you can use terracotta planters or galvanized washtubs, even plastic buckets will do.  The pots that are in the picture at the top are the kind that can be planted right into the soil.  I'd bought several of these last year on sale.  These are great to use because there's no worry of disturbing the roots for transplanting.  My favorite pot to use for seed starting uses the Do-It-Yourself Plant PotMaker here.  You use strips of newspaper for your pots and can be planted directly into the soil since newspaper is completely biodegradable.

2.  Seeds & Soil

Seeds are important.  If you want to re-plant seeds for another growing season from the flower or vegetable that you are planting, you will need to purchase Heirloom Seeds.  Seeds that are not classified as Heirloom Seeds will not produce seeds that can be replanted.  My favorite Heirloom Seed companies are Baker's Creek, Territorial Seed Co., and High Mowing Organic.
I always use a seed starting soil for seed starting.  The soil is a little lighter and the seeds have an easier time rooting.

3.  Sandwich Bags

These are what I use to tent the top of my little pots.  

4.  Light

Any kind will do.  I use a couple of lamps on my buffet table.  :)

How to begin

Simply put, all you need to do is fill your pots with seed starting soil.  Plant your seeds.  For teeny tiny seeds like carrots, just barely cover with soil.

Spritz with water and top with a sandwich bag.  I place my pots on a big sheet pan and pour a little water on the pan.  The water sucks up through the pot to prepare the soil for germination.  Place this pan with your planted pots under a couple of lamps or drop lights.  You can even use a couple of clamp desk lamps.  Within a couple of hours, you should start to see the humidity building up within the tents.  

I leave mine under lights for about 12 or 16 hours a day until transplanting.  Once the true leaves appear (true leaves are NOT the first leaves to appear on most plants.), start bringing them outside during the day to acclimate to the weather and temp change.

If you find that your seeds need additional warmth while germinating, a quick tip is to get a heating pad - any old heating pad will do - and wrap in a garbage bag.  Place underneath the sheet pan and turn on to medium heat.  This will warm the soil and cause easy germination for warm loving plants.

Spring Printables!

 

Ahh...feel that?  That warmth you're feeling is the beginning of spring and I, for one, am so excited! 

For one, Spring is the season that my husband is home the most.  His job as a fish farmer slows down a little with the waters starting to warm up so he's working a lot less AND since hunting season is over until October, I have him all to myself.  For a few months at least...

Right now we're busy getting our self watering containers built for our spring garden - those tutorials and pics will come soon.  In the meantime, I'm changing out all my seasonal printables this week.  I visited a few of my favorite blogs and found a ton that are to die for.  I thought I'd share them all with you guys.  

Sooo, what are you waiting for?  Get Springy!

Photo: Smile Like You Mean It.

Photo: Less Cake More Frosting

Photo: Craftily Ever After

Photo: Vintage Gwen

Photo: Makoodle

Photo: Flamingo Toes

Photo: Tatertots and Jello

Photo: Sprik Space

Photo: Sally Price Rawlins

Paint Chip Flower

This Christmas I have decided to make most of the gifts I give.  Not only is more economical but a handmade gift is better, at least in my opinion.  I mean, who doesn't love something that someone actually made?!

Those that know me know that I have this weird obsession with paint chips.  First of all, they're free.  And second, they come in every color imaginable.  This! I love.

I think my favorites are the chips that have several colors on them and these were the ones I used for this project.

If you have an aversion to 'taking' paint chips from the store, just ask if they have discontinued chips laying around.  I don't mind taking a few each time I go to the store.  In fact, I asked the manager of our local Walmart about them before and he said, (and I quote) "They don't have a price so I can't actually charge you for them".  So yay!

What I Used

Approx. 20 Paint Chips
8x10 Frame
Black Button
Glue

How It's Done

I cut hearts out of the paint chips and started at the center.  Glue your hearts down and start your next layer by placing the hearts behind the previous layer until you get the size you want.  The best thing about this project is that you can let your creative side take over - use whatever colors you want.  Once I had it filled in, I stuck a button in the center.  I didn't have regular white glue and I tried using hot glue but it seemed to dry too thick so I grabbed my trusty Mod Podge.  It worked great.

Banana Bread

Today's Great Thing was not about me, considering I hate (yes, I used the 'H' word) banana bread.  I guess it stems from the fact that from the ages of 4 to 9 all I ate was bananas.  Seriously.  

At any rate, my husband loves banana bread.  He and the kids are off to the hunting cabin this weekend - it's youth hunt weekend in Alabama, and their special prize was a warm loaf of Banana Bread.  They even paid me with a happy dance!

Of course they think I slaved all day preparing this but I didn't.  It was a mix!  You know, one of these mixes...

And the best part:  It was only $1.96 at my local Walmart.  Using my trusty $1 off coupons, I was able to score these mixes for only $0.96 each.  Not too shabby, eh?

Moral of the story:  It doesn't have to cost much OR be homemade to be a really Great thing!

If you need coupons, Leonard at American Consumer Services offers the most helpful and affordable options.  Just contact him here and do me a favor - tell him Heather sent you!  

Finish What You Start

I remember the days when it seemed at least one of our 4 children had to take 'the pink stuff', as they so affectionately called it.  Yet it never failed - we would never finish the bottle.  Not ever.

I don't know what it was...maybe once they started feeling better we'd forget about it.  Or perhaps it would get lost in the fridge behind the leftover green beans.  <and since I never clean out the fridge, it could get lost in there for months.>

Hopefully I'm not alone in this - surely there are other moms like me who tend to forget things, even your child's medication.  <gasp>

I found this great idea from Landee See, Landee Do that I wish I'd thought of.  Maybe if I had, it would have helped us finish what we'd started when it came to 'the pink stuff'.  

Pretty cool idea, huh?  This way, a little check mark lets you know whether or not it's been taken for the day.  Great!  Now, just keep it in the door of the fridge so it doesn't get lost behind the leftovers.  :)