Frosty Morning

This time of year the weather is so unpredictable.  We have set off in the morning and a couple hours later while returning home, we can hardly see the road because of a snow squall coming through with a vengeance.  It's like a quick summer rain shower that only occurs in a small area.  Today we woke up to above zero temperatures but it broke records for low temperatures in other places not that far away.  My daughter took these pictures this morning while taking her son to school.  This beautiful sight was less than 20 miles away from us.  We didn't have anything like this at our house and by the time she returned home, the frost had disappeared.  The contrast between the brilliant blue sky and the white frost is amazing.  Enjoy the beauty!

The Talking Watch

It is March 5, 2014 and it is a beautiful sunny day but so deceiving.  The icicles are being formed from the snow melting off the roof and from the inside of the house it looks like a lovely Spring day.   It isn't though, it is cold and windy.

The sun must have some heat in it even with the temp below freezing.

Icicle is even dripping off the birdhouse roof.

Waiting for the real Spring to arrive, I have very little to write about.  Recently I noticed my dad, who is 89 years old, was never quite sure of the time.  He has macular degeneration and has trouble seeing his watch or a clock.  He has a clock which strikes the hour but that doesn't help much.  Sometimes he starts getting ready for bed at 8:00 PM because he thinks it's 10:00.  I got the bright idea to get him a talking clock.  I went to every store I could think of and couldn't find one.  So I went to the go to online store, Amazon.com.  I found a watch that had pretty good reviews and spoke the time.

Notice it says Talking Alarm Watch.  He had a little trouble hearing it at first because of the robotic sound to the woman's voice, but eventually learned to understand her.  During the first day, he did fine and took it to his room when he went to bed.  Some time during the night he got it turned upside down and pushed the button to turn on the alarm.  At 2:00 AM the alarm went off, and it went off every 5 minutes until 2:30.  Then it either stopped or he stuck it under a pillow so he couldn't hear it any longer.  Somehow he kept it close so I wouldn't hear it.  I'm a very light sleeper, but I didn't hear it.

My solution was the very versatile Duct Tape.  I covered all the buttons except for the one to push for the time.  It has worked well.  I will have to remove it this weekend to Spring Forward, but that won't be a problem. 

So until I have new bird sightings and pictures of plants peeking through the earth to share, you will have to hear my boring stories of our everyday life. 

Don't Bake A Paczki

It's Fat Tuesday.  The day for fattening up before the fasting days of Lent.  Not only is it Fat Tuesday, it's Paczki Day.  Paczki (pronounced Poonch-key) is a traditional Polish doughnut type bakery item.  My husband is half Polish, my mother in law was full Polish and no one in my family has even tasted one.  There is a bakery in the Green Bay area that sells over 20,000 of them on this day.  I thought they must be wonderful and so I would try to make them.  Traditionally they are deep fried, but I found a recipe where they are baked.  I don't like many things deep fried so I thought this would be a better option, and it would have a lot less than the 400 calories in a fried one.  They turned out looking like a sweet dinner roll with more sugar on top and jelly in the middle.  I think deep frying them would be better for taste and maybe a little crispiness.  It would also make the sugar on top stick better. 

Baked Paczki 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm milk (no warmer than 110 degrees)
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 ounces (1 stick) room-temperature butter
• 1 large room-temperature egg
• 3 large room-temperature egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon brandy or rum
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar (optional)

Add yeast to warm milk, stir to dissolve and set aside.  In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the sugar and butter until fluffy.  Beat in the eggs, brandy and salt until well incorporated.

Still using the paddle attachment, add 4 1/2 cups flour alternately with the milk-yeast mixture and beat for 5 or more minutes.  Dough will be very slack.  If it's too soft, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour.

Place dough in a greased bowl.  Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk.  It should take from 1 to 2 hours.  Punch down and let it rise again.

After it has risen, turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.  Pat or roll to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness.

Cut rounds with a 3 inch biscuit cutter.  Remove scraps and re-roll and re-cut.  Transfer rounds to parchment lined baking sheets, cover and let rounds rise until doubled in size.  It takes about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Place the Paczki's in the oven and bake 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick tests clean.  Remove from oven and roll in sugar.   Put jelly in the center when cooled.

For those of you who are true bakers, you are probably laughing at me right now.  I am willing to try anything, but it doesn't always turn out.  I have never tasted the real Paczki, so maybe they did turn out and I don't know it.  Some day I will have to travel to the Polish bakery and see for myself.

Ribbed Knit Skull Cap

This past weekend we had three of our grandchildren stay with us.  The 5 year old, who I made playdough with in the previous post http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/02/playdough-project-with-jack.html, is always asking me to make him something.  He thinks I can just wiggle my nose and items appear.  He asked me for a hat, fingerless mittens like his mother has and a stuffed animal.  I sat down and made this hat.

He tried it on and it was too big.  Because it was a little big,  I gave it to my dad.  Dad wears a hat to keep his sinuses warm at night.  This one is perfect for that.  It is very stretchy so it isn't too tight, but it is just warm enough.  Dad also wears some fingerless gloves I made for him.  He says it has almost cured his carpal tunnel symptoms by keeping his wrists warm.  It is quite a sight to see him get ready for bed.   http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/02/another-fingerless-mitt-pattern.html

Fingerless Gloves

Ribbed Adult Hat (Charcoal Gray shown above)

Cast 120 stitches on a size 6 knitting needle.  I use a twelve inch circular needle, but three double pointed needles would work as well.   Be careful not to twist the cast on stitches.  Begin knitting Knit 2, Purl 2 around and around until the piece is 7 1/2 inches.

Then begin decreases.

Round 1:   Knit 2, purl the two purl stitches together,  for entire first round. (90 stitches remaining)
Round 2:   Knit 2, purl 1,  around.
Round 3:   Knit 1, knit 2 together around (60 stitches remaining)
Round 4:   Knit around.
Round 5:   Knit 2 together around (30 stitches remaining)
Round 6:   Knit around.
Round 7:   Knit 2 together around (15 stitches remaining)
Weave yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight and tie off.

You may have to switch to double pointed needles for the decrease rounds when there are not enough stitches on the circular needles.

For the young child's version just cast on 100 stitches and knit around to 6 or 6 1/2 inches.
Decrease in the same manner except you will have 75 stitches after 1st decrease round, 50 stitches after 3rd round, 25 after round 5 and finish with 12 stitches.

Kid's version of Hat

He insisted on rainbow colors and was too busy playing a videos game to pose. 

Playdough Project with Jack

We are having three of our grandchildren stay with us this weekend.  Tonight we have Jack and then tomorrow night we will have Jack and his sister and brother.  He has only stayed here alone one or two other times in his whole life, and he is 5 1/2.  When you are the youngest child in the family, you usually have to share grandma and grandpa.  He has been a really good boy.  He went to sleep without any problem.  I think an all day kindergartener gets pretty tired by Friday.  Thinking that his parents might frown on me letting him play on the ipad for hours, I thought we should do something fun.  Recently I saw a new way to make playdough on Facebook.  It was so easy, we decided to try it.

The only ingredients it takes is 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part hair conditioner.  We used 1 cup of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of hair conditioner. Mixing these two ingredients forms into a soft silky dough.

The playdough is soft and not sticky.  It worked up well and smells good.  I don't know if it will remain pliable in a day or two, but Jack had fun with it tonight.  We didn't add any color, but it would have been easy to do.

First thing to do is pour the hair conditioner into the cup of cornstarch.

Mix it together until is starts to form a ball.

It is very soft and holds together quite well.

In a couple minutes it is ready to play with.

What's a Munzee?

I have written many times about one of our hobbies called geocaching.  We haven't been out for a long time, but when we do we really enjoy it.  It is very difficult to geocache in Wisconsin in the winter.  If it isn't the snow, then it's the cold.  It may be fun for young people but not for us.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/03/geocaching-as-one-of-our-hobbies.html

This was one of the most popular blogs I have written about a geocache we found.   http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/03/the-day-they-gave-babies-away.html
If you want to read more about different types of caching, just type geocaching in the search box.  It will bring you to a list of other geocache stories I have written.

I mention this because recently our son in law told us of another type of scavenger hunt game.  It is called Munzee.  Munzee uses a smartphone app.  The game is similar to geocaching but it uses QR code technology.  When you find the QR code, instead of logging into a logbook, you scan the code with your phone.  Players place a QR code at a location and others try to find them.  You can find the locations on the Munzee map included in the application.  Every time you find one and scan the code, you get points.  I think it is a fairly new game in our area.  It was created in Texas in 2011.  I noticed it is mostly being used by businesses at this point.  I imagine it is a great way to bring people to your business.  We have tried a few, but so far most of them are in the larger cities.  Just like geocaches, they also have virtual munzee's.  If you are within 300 feet of the landmark, it will record a find.  I will keep you posted on how we like it.  The app isn't quite as user friendly as I would like.

When you download the Munzee app (it's free) and sign up, the app will include the reader you will need for reading Munzee codes from your phones camera.  If you want to read the QR code below or other codes that appear in print or on products you buy, then you will have to download a QRreader app.  The readers are free.  Just go to your app store on your phone and download one. 

This is a QR code.  If you have a QR reader,   see what this is.

My Mom's Go To Meal...Goulash and Her Special Salad Dressing

It's recipe Tuesday.  I haven't blogged for a few days because frankly everyone in my life is just going through the motions.  Life is kind of in a holding pattern until we get out of this cold winter weather.  I am feeling lazy and need to get my rear in gear.  I started vacuuming cobwebs from the ceilings.  The cobwebs have probably been there for a while, but I just started seeing them.  Dirt and dust from the woodburning stoves settles on the webs.  It's kind of like sprinkling special dust on fingerprints to make them show up.  This happens at this time every winter.

Today's recipe is for a salad dressing that my mom used to make.  We always had it on iceberg lettuce.  Iceberg has very little flavor, but that is what she used.  Mom would cut the lettuce in small pieces and wash and wash and wash under running water.  Then she would drain it very well.  My mom washed all her produce thoroughly.  I mean more than usual.  She didn't worry much about pesticides, but when I asked her why she overwashed food, she said that she was sure all the produce pickers didn't walk all the way back in from the fields just to go to the bathroom.  I had never thought about that, but she was probably right.  Mom always made this salad with what we called goulash.  Her goulash was just browned hamburger, tomato soup or spaghetti sauce and macaroni mixed together.   Any family member who reads this blog will remember.  The sweet of the dressing complemented the tomato, hamburger and macaroni.  I don't have the exact recipe because mom didn't use one.  These are the ingredients for the dressing but the proportions may be off a little.  If it's too thin, add more Miracle Whip and if it's too thick you may have to add more milk.  If anyone has the exact recipe, please send it to me. 

Mom's Salad Dressing

1/2 Cup Miracle Whip
2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Milk (she used evaporated milk)
1-2 Tablespoons white sugar
A little salt and pepper
Small amount of finely diced onion

Whisk together until smooth. 


This next recipe is a variation of moms.  I made a full batch and it keeps very well in the refrigerator.

Creamy Apple Dressing

Ingredients:
1    cup  real mayonnaise
2    tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2    tablespoons 100% apple juice
1/2    cup brown sugar

Whisk together the ingredients until smooth.
I used Fat Free Mayo so the total calories per Tablespoon is only 37.

Toilet Bombs

In my theme of making strange household products, I thought I would try these Toilet Bombs.  Yup, that is what they are called, and they aren't what you think.  I saw them made on TV and because I had all the ingredients on hand, I was able to make them right away.  Here they are. 

I know these look a lot like snowball cookies, but they are NOT.

These are all the ingredients you will need.

Toilet Bombs

1 1/2 cups Baking Soda
1/2 cup Citric Acid

Pour these two ingredients into a bowl and mix together.  Then add whatever scent you like.  I used Lavender.  Make it pretty heavily scented because it will be freshening and cleaning your toilet bowl.  Next spritz the dry mixture with water, a little at a time.  Stir the moisture in until the mixture holds together.  Too much moisture will cause fizzing, and you don't want that until later.  I hadn't made these before so I just made balls with my hands.  You could form them into silicone molds or use a meatball maker utensil.

Let them dry for several hours or overnight.

Close up view.  This recipe makes about 14 of this size.

Now whenever you want to clean and deodorize your toilet bowl, just throw one (or two) into the water.  They will start fizzing and circling the bowl until dissolved.  Before you go to bed is a good time to use them. 

I wasn't going to show my toilet bowl.   Immediately they will start to fizz.

They continue to dissolve leaving a good scent and cleaning the toilet.

A Sure Sign of Spring

Yesterday we had a beautiful day.  It was sunny and the snow was melting.  There is nothing better than the smell of Spring with running water and birds singing.  We were on a weather watch today for a snow, rain or ice storm.  The Governor declared a state of emergency for the state of Wisconsin.  Although some of the state was hit with a lot of snow, we lucked out (so far).  Although it is cloudy and dreary looking, the snow is still melting and is hasn't rained or snowed. 

It's a very dreary day, but more and more melting is happening.

The wind is starting to get very strong.  I don't know if we will get will get rain or snow later today, but this is a sure sign of Spring.  My daughter sent a picture of what greeted them as they drove into their garage.  The snow can be melting and the birds can be singing, but this is a sure sign.

Yup, it's a BAT!

Our February Thaw

Today is February 19, 2014.  I am writing today to document a little break we are having to this long long winter in Wisconsin.  I think it has been a long winter for a lot of the United States.  Tomorrow we may have an ice or snowstorm.  The weather people are having a hard time determining where the snow/ice line will be.  We could have all rain, all snow or a mixture of the two.  I hope it's snow.

Today it is 45 degrees and it feels fantastic.

Green grass is even peeking through the snow

The robins are back.  I hope they don't regret it and can find enough food.

The temperature is warm enough to start opening up the stream.

 

Some ducks are gathering on the open water

Even dad decided to sit on the porch to get some fresh air.

Stay tuned, we'll see what tomorrow will bring.

Apple Cranberry Pork Roast

It's Tuesday and that means another recipe.  My daughter gave me this one to try.  It came out of the Amy Hanten cookbook.  Amy has a website, http://www.thecookingmom.com/   I have used her recipes often.

Although the photos don't do it justice, it was very good.

Apple Cranberry Pork Roast

• Boneless pork loin roast
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• 1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 2 apples, peeled and chopped  

 Season roast with salt and pepper, and rub garlic all over it. Place roast in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, brown sugar and juice. Pour it over the roast. Throw apples on top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until nice and tender. Slice and serve with the sauce. You can simmer the sauce in a saucepan on the stove for a few minutes if you want it to reduce down and thicken a bit. 

We enjoyed this roast and and have some leftover for tonight.  We weren't the only ones who got benefit of this meal.  The deer also got a treat of the apple peelings.  I barely put them out and the three girls arrived for a snack.

 

Cloth Unpaper Towels

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I bought a king sized flannel pillowcase at the Goodwill store for $.99.  From the hemmed section, I made some samples of handwarmers.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/02/flannel-hand-warmers.html

After the hem was removed and the seams taken out, I had a nice piece of flannel to use for something else.  Flannel costs $5 or $6 a yard, so I knew I wanted to keep this for something.

Anyone who has read this blog won't be surprised to know that I watch HGTV and crafting shows.  I saw a piece recently where someone made Cloth UnPaper Towels.  They are made with fabric on one side and flannel on the other.  This person made the towels, put two snaps on each piece to snap the towels together and rolled them up on a paper towel holder.  Instead of grabbing a paper towel and throwing it away, they unsnapped a cloth towel.

These towels can be purchased already finished at Etsy stores.

I wanted to do this so I went to the dollar store and bought three microfiber towels.  They were a dollar each.  I figured the microfiber would work great to wipe off the counter and the flannel would be great for shining and drying. 

I cut each towel in half and cut out a piece of flannel the same size as half the towel.  I put right sides together and stitched around leaving a small opening, then turning the towel right side out by pulling it through the opening.  I top stitched the towel folding the opening in as I stitched.  I don't have a serger machine which would overcast and cut at the same time.  It looks like the purchased towels were made that way or just zigzagged around the two layers.  That would be really fast and easy to do.

The blue towels I used the fine textured side of the microfiber towel.

I think these will be very functional but way too ugly to display on my counter.  I found the cute red paper towel holder shown in the finished roll above.  It was only $5 at Dollar General but I didn't buy it.  I'm glad because my towels will be stored in a drawer without the snaps.  If I find some cute fabric someday and need more, I may try to make them again.  I really love how they work.

I got five towels from one king sized pillow case.

Making a Salt Scrub

I'm not sure how good some of these home made products are, but here is another one to try.  Yesterday I posted a process for making body wash.  It works pretty well, but time will tell how stable it is.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/02/make-your-own-body-wash.html

The castile soap I use is made out of coconut oil.  It is hypoallergenic and doesn't dry out the skin.  Knowing how coconut oil turns liquid at 76 degrees, it is probably the reason my body wash was gel-like in one part of the house and liquid in the area near our pellet stoves.  Just using the bar of soap would probably work just as well.

This recipe is for a salt scrub.  It works to moisturize dry hands, feet, elbows and knees.  If you use it in the shower be careful because the oil can make the floor very slippery.  I like to rub it on my hands in the winter.  It moisturizes them very well.  They still look craggy and old, but at least they are soft.

Three simple ingredients.

Salt Scrub

1/2 cup oil (I like grapeseed or sunflower)  You can use olive or canola but they have more of an odor.

1 cup Sea Salt  (Here too, you can use table salt or even Epsom Salts which is good for getting magnesium absorbed into your skin.)

A few drops of essential oil (This batch I used Grapefruit essential oil)

Mix all ingredients together and put into a jar.  This is a glass jar which probably is a bad idea.  A zip lock bag would even work.  Some recipes for salt and sugar scrubs use bentonite clay.  This clay absorbs toxins and has healing properties.  It may be a great addition. 

Take a little scoop and rub it on your driest skin.