Santa Train at the Strasburg Railroad

I had the pleasure of of Riding the Santa Train on the Strasburg Railroad.  I was a really fun experience for the kids, and just the look on their faces makes going in the rain totally worth it lol.

You can read my full review over on Momma Lews Blog - Strasburg Santa Train

We might even make this trip an annual tradition, especially since there are several train themes available.

Maybe we will see you there.

#NYSDairyTour2014

I had the extreme pleasure of being a guest contributor over at Momma Lews Blog for the New York State Dairy Tour of 2014.

I learned so much that weekend, you can see my full write up over on her blog by clicking HERE

Mother's Day Contest

I entered a contest for my mom to win appliances for Mother's Day.  I would love for her to win.  If you are reading this blog, could you take a minute and vote for her?  Just click on the link and click the vote button.

http://bit.ly/QgYSYb

THANK YOU SO MUCH

Snow Ice Cream

Ice Cream made from snow!

This winter has been rough.  A combination of multiple heavy snow storms and frigid temps has made this winter the harshest I can remember. And, it is far from over.

The other day I saw someone post that they made ice-cream from snow.  Well, with almost a foot of freshly fallen snow, I figured I would give it a shot.  Off to pinterest I went.

I found several links to different ways to make it.  Most called for milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and of course snow.  Well, I didn't have enough milk, so basically clicked on several links looking for an alternate recipe.  I found the EASIEST one, and it did not need milk.  Instead it needed sweetened condensed milk, which oddly I had in the house lol.

You only need the following:

about 10 cups of clean snow

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

vanilla - I like a lot of vanilla, but generally never measure it

Mix is all together and viola - ice cream.  It was really good.

I really think that the condensed milk could really make a big difference in the texture of the ice cream.  If you see in the pictures, it really does look like mashed potatoes.  Which when I added caramel on top - it REALLY looked like mashed potatoes.  I'm sure the consistency of your snow will totally alter the texture of your ice-cream.  Mine the 2x I made it was the texture/consistency of homemade ice-cream.  I think if I used the milk recipe, it would have been like italian ice.

See looks like mashed potatoes, especially with the carrots next to it lol.

Cost wise, honestly - not really a big cost savings using this method.  Using the recipes using milk and sugar is probably a *free* way to make this since most people will have that in the house.  But, even though I had the condensed milk in the house, for the second batch - I had to buy a can.

I got a can on sale for $1.65.  The next highest price (which was not on sale) was $2.29.  You can get a regular container of ice cream on sale for $2.99.  That container would last a lot longer than snow ice cream.  But, we all had ice cream (5 of us), and still stashed a bit in the freezer.  But - obviously a fun thing to do to make the best of the snow.

Oh, and it is super cold!

Reversible Dress Up Aprons

I created some reversible dress-up aprons for my nieces as Christmas presents.  They just LOVE to dress up and wanted to give them something more personal to them - or at least something that was not found in the stores.

I wanted to dress up clothes as aprons so they are easy on/off, and can be slipped right over clothes. Since it is easy hide seams if you do it reversible, I knew that was the way I wanted to go.

I made up the pattern, which at first was trial and error.  My daughter (shown above) is 4 years old and wears a 4t/5t.  The aprons also fit well on my 3 year old, and the recepient, who is 5 years old.  I put them on my son who is almost 8 - and it was too short, but these can easily be made longer/shorter/wider.  

Here are the measurements that I used.

Since this is imagination play items, I also included a little accessory for each side.

Mail Man Dress Up Apron

Includes a real pocket in the faux messenger bag, and a felt envelope

Nurse Dress Up Apron

Includes Felt Nurse Hat

Construction - Contractor Dress Up Apron

Includes Felt Tools

This dress up was created my dad's company.  He was a general contractor and thought this would be fun - and no one else would have it.  The faux tool belt has pockets for the felt tools.

Chef Dress Up Apron

Includes Chef Hat

I didn't really love this side - but whatever lol

Using the measurements above I was able to create these aprons.  It did take some thought on how to create each side.  The possibilities are endless.  I did love the idea of creating faux items (the bag, tool belt, etc)  Some other ideas of dress up stuff are road worker, police officer, fireman, doctor, waitress, sports player, telephone repair man, train conductor, cowboy/girl, pizza delivery person, soldier, scientist, etc.

These dress up aprons could go together pretty quickly once you figure out the design you want.

If I create another apron set, I will do a photo tutorial for them.

Hope this gets your creative juices flowing

Christmas Crack - AKA saltine toffee

Gotta love me some Christmas Crack

Christmas Crack is so delish!  And, seriously so easy to make.  It's probably called crack because it is so additive.

Ingredients:

Saltine Crackers

1 Cup of Butter (2 Sticks)

1 Cup Brown Sugar

Chocolate Chips, I like to use the mini ones

It is so easy to make

Your oven should be pre-heated to 400 degrees.

Step One:

Line the bottom of a cookie sheet or baking pan with the saltine crackers in one layer.  I like to put foil or wax paper on the bottom, makes it easier to get out.  Make sure to fill the entire bottom, even if that means you have to break some of the crackers.

Step Two:

Melt together the butter and brown sugar.  Let it come to a boil, lower temp and simmer for about 2 minutes

Step Three:

Pour the butter/sugar mixture over the crackers.

Make sure you coat all the crackers, you can use a spoon to spread evenly

Step Four:

Bake in the oven for 5-6 minutes at 400 degrees

Step Five:

Once out of the oven, spread chocolate chips over the entire dish

Step Six:

After a few minutes, spread the chocolate around, coating the entire pan

DONE

  

I like to throw it in the freezer to cool and set.  But, the chocolate will harden if just on the counter. Once totally cool, just break into pieces and enjoy.  Beware:  you can't just have one piece.

Dolly Donations

My Company Giggle Worm will be creating some dollys for Operation Christmas Child - and Dolly Donations

Here is my first of hopefully many dolls that I can send over to Africa for a child to love.  Every child deserves a little friend to cuddle.