Homemade Hand Cream

Wanted to share our time-tested recipe for hand cream.  I started making it when my 20-year-old daughter, Lacey, was 2 and had eczema.  Not only was it was a miracle for her skin, but we all loved it and have been using it ever since!

Here us our recipe, so you can make some too.  The original recipe calls for baby lotion.  We have found it works well with any lotion and not just the baby kind.  Just make sure to use the same number of ounces :)

Homemade Hand Cream:

2 (15-16 oz.) baby lotion
8 oz. Vaseline
2 jars (8 oz.) Vitamin E Cream

First, whip the petroleum jelly with a mixer, then add in the remaining ingredients:

Whip until fluffy.

It will look something like this:

I wash and reuse the jars from the vitamin E cream and petroleum jelly (and any other empty jars from creams, butters or lotions that I can find).  Any plastic container with a lid will work just fine.  No need to purchase fancy new jars…. unless you really want to :)

Use a rubber spatula to get every last bit of cream into the jars:

Don’t forget to fill a couple travel size jars to keep with you in your purse. 

It seriously looks like a LOT of hand cream, but we use it so quickly!  There is now only 1 jar left and it will be time to make more soon.  I am going to try using coconut oil instead of petroleum jelly in my next batch… I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Yellow + Gray Blankets

These pretty blankets were special ordered by a proud auntie… of twins! 

I think her idea is GENIUS -

Both blankies are yellow and gray, but one blanket is granny squares:

and the other is a hexagon blanket:

They coordinate and are so similar, yet each baby will have their own special blanket!

Aren’t they pretty together?

Sunday words

 

Image credit

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!


Give thanks to the LORD,

call on his name;

make known among the nations

what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Sunday words

 

Photo credit

Sunday words

 

Give thanks to the Lord

for He is good

His love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

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Today…

El Elyon

{the Lord Most High}

still is in control

and my HOPE and TRUST are in Him alone.

Dear friends, let us DAILY be as passionate about seeking Jesus

{and}

praying for our nation as we have been with this election.

May God’s grace and mercy flow over us

as we seek to walk humbly with Him.

 

 There will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

Still I will praise You . . . still I will praise You.

Did You Vote?

Don’t forget to make your voice heard and vote today, friends! 

And please remind those around you to do the same!!

Photo Source

Gray & White Chevron Blanket… With a Train!

Hi friends! Just wanted to show you this chevron afghan I recently shipped to a sweet baby boy in North Carolina.

I can’t take credit for the design idea… This was a custom piece for a very excited new grandma, made to match her grandson’s nursery!

You can look for a few more chevron baby blankets soon.  I really love the gray and white chevrons and stashed a few more design ideas in my sketchbook. 

Cute!

Sunday words

Be joyful in hope,

patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

A Few Favorite {31 Days}

Photo Credit:

Have ya’ll been checking out the blogs on the 31 day journey, over at the Nesters?! This year, there are over 1200 31 day series to choose from!!  Pinterest testing, crafts, recipes, freezer cooking, + so much more -- There is such a wide variety of topics offered, there is sure to be something of interest for everyone! 

These are just few of my favorites...
{*} Nester’s topic this year is Home on Purpose. The lovely hostess with the lovely home.  Helping us love our homes just the way they are. :)

{*} Candace at His Mercy is New is sharing 31 days of praying the Psalms  It will be a blessing to you!!

{*} 31 days of Grace Through Trials is over at Studio JRU.  Find encouragement for your heart, especially if you are in the midst of a trial. 

{*} This next 31 dayer is teaching a unique advent series to prepare our hearts this Christmas season… and there are activities for your kids, too!! 31 days to anticipating ADVENT.

{*}  This sweet girl is writing 31 days of God's Word as letters to her boys! She shares Scriptures that are meaningful to her in the letters. Wouldn’t this be great to do for our kids?!

{*} Lastly, Erin Leigh is sharing lessons on scripture art journaling – sqeee!

So many fun 31 day series… I can't possibly visit each of them even once, let alone keep up with them each day.  So tell me – have you found any favorites that are not mentioned here?  Please leave me a comment so I can check them out too!!

Sunday words

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Pumpkin Spice + Vanilla + Amaretto + Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer

I get a lot of questions on the pumpkin spice coffee creamer, but not too many of you find the post of these other creamer recipes… so I decided to combine them all in one post!

That, and answer some of the questions I get related to these recipes.  Which reminds me – please, please, please make sure you have enabled your email so that I can respond to you!!  If not, I have no way to contact you to answer your questions, which is very frustrating!

So anyway.  In no particular order, here are the answers to frequently asked coffee creamer questions:

1.  These recipes use powder coffee creamer. One national brand is called “Coffeemate,” but there are also generic and store brands of powdered coffee creamer.
2.  Any brand of powder coffee creamer can be used.  It is not necessary to use the Coffeemate brand.  Just make sure it is plain, unflavored powder creamer.
3.  Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of spices that is sold in the same section where you find cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.  There are also DIY recipes for making your own… a quick search on Google or Pinterest will find you a recipe for pumpkin pie spice. 
4.  These creamers are added into a cup of already brewed coffee, to add flavor.  It is not the kind of mix that is used with hot water alone. 
5.  It keeps well and does not need to be refrigerated. 
6.  It is fine to use more (or less!) sugar, extracts, spices, etc.  Adjust to your personal tastes :)
7.  Splenda may be used in place of sugar. 

AND here are the recipes:

(Directions are the same for all flavors and are at the end of the post).

VANILLA
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract

AMARETTO
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

PEPPERMINT MOCHA
3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

PUMPKIN SPICE
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:  Place all of the ingredients for the flavor you are making into a food processor.  Process for about a minute, or until it is powdery smooth and the texture is even.  Store in a glass jar or other airtight container that has a lid.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of flavored creamer to each 6-8 ounce cup of coffee. 

**Don’t forget that flavored creamers make great gifts!!

**Double, triple or quadruple the ingredients, so you don’t have to make it as often. Just sayin’.

 Also.  A little whipped cream on top makes it even better!

Sunday words

Whoever is patient has great understanding,

but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Proverbs 14:29

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

Time again for candy corn cookies!  The weather has been plenty cold enough around here for cookie baking and these are so fun for fall.  No mad frosting/decorating skills required…

Start by making a batch of your favorite roll-out sugar cookie dough recipe. I always use my Grammy’s Danish sugar cookie recipe. 

Divide dough into 3 parts… slightly over half for orange, about one-third for yellow and the smallest amount is left plain. Using gel food coloring for the orange and yellow portions, knead it into the dough.
Form into three long rectangles.  Stack the orange rectangle onto the yellow.  Then shape the white (plain) dough and perch it on top.  Shape and pinch the dough until it resembles a triangle.  It doesn’t have to be perfect –
Cover completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30-60 minutes.  Slice thinly and bake, following your recipe’s baking instructions.

That’s it… an easy + fun treat!

Blessings to you! Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday words

A man’s wisdom gives him patience;

it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

Awesome Autumn Giveaway!!

I have exciting news for you today!!  I was asked to participate in the Awesome Autumn Giveaway at Yellow Bird + Yellow Beard!!  My very own candy corn garland is in one of the prize packages! 

There are 6 awesome prize packages featured in the Awesome Autumn Giveaway…. 6 winners!  Each package is brimming with yummy fall + Halloween + Thanksgiving goodies!  Be sure to enter to win each package…. my garland is part of package number 4!

Good luck everyone!!

Sunday words

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,

for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Sunday words

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret —

it leads only to evil.

Psalm 37:8

Scarecrow Crunch

Stirred up a batch of our favorite fall snack mix… Scarecrow Crunch!
It’s really easy.  No baking.  Just mix it together and voila :)

SCARECROW CRUNCH
4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios 
4 cups tiny twist pretzels
1 bag candy corn 
2 cups Reese’s pieces
2 boxes caramel popcorn (Crunch ‘n Munch)
1 box chocolate Teddy Grahams or chocolate animal crackers
Mix gently in a large bowl. Store in airtight container.

For being so simple, it sure is a pretty fall treat :)

Shop Updates

Happy Wednesday!

Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend! Just popping in to give you a quick shop update.

Here’s a little collage of some fall favorites that have been restocked…

And the sweetest little model wearing her turkey hat and a cowgirl hat

For more info, stop by the Prairie Cottage or PuddinToes :)

Freezer cream-style corn…. and corn cutting tip

This is an old favorite of ours.  Not sure where the recipe originated, but we’ve been making it for at least 20 years.  It tastes absolutely heavenly on a cold, windy and/or snowy day… a little bit of summer. 
There are cutters made specifically to cut corn off the cob, but since it’s only a once a year task, this is what I do: 

Stand the corn on the center of an angel food pan and go at it with the electric knife.  Much faster than a regular knife, although it will do the job if you don’t have an electric one. 

Isn’t it pretty? 


Here it is, ready for the freezer containers…

FROZEN CREAM-STYLE CORN:

18 cups raw corn, cut off the cob
1/2 cup butter (butter only, no margarine :)
1 quart half and half
3/4 - 1 cup sugar

Mix ingredients in a large roaster and bake in a 300 degree oven for 1 hour.  Stir every 15 minutes.  Let cool and freeze in freezer containers or zipper bags. 
To serve:  Thaw and reheat in oven or microwave.
*The original recipe makes special note that salt should not be used, as it will make the corn tough. 

Sisters…

Sisters are different flowers

from the same garden…

Skyleigh & Liberty

August 2012

Monterey Jack Salsa

Avocados were on sale last week, so I whipped up one of our favorite dips. 
And it’s sooo easy!

MONTEREY JACK SALSA
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
5 green onions, chopped
1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
1 large tomato, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
1/2 to 1 cup sliced black olives
1 cup zesty Italian dressing
Tortilla chips
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.  Allow some time in the refrigerator for the flavors to get to know each other.  Or just dig in, if you can’t wait.  Not that we would do that ;)
I told you it was easy!

Happy Birthday, Liberty!

Early this morning, my new granddaughter, Liberty, arrived! 

How can you look at a baby and not believe in God?
 
A bundle of sweet little perfections…

how could this just happen without a God with a plan?

God didn’t design her so perfectly to just take up space….

God has a plan for her…

A plan that only he can do…

Dear, Sweet Liberty:

May you always seek the God who so beautifully designed you…

and

May you always seek to do the will of the Father

who has big plans for you.

And now for the photos :)

6 pounds, 15 ounces

so prEcIoUs!!

With Mommy:

My big brother Nolan Ryan 
and 
My big sister Skyleigh Claire:

My Uncle Matthew:

My Aunt Lacey (Auntie Bee):

Oops… Almost forgot -
Take a picture of me too, Nana!

Happy Birthday, Libby!!

Love,
Nan