Cotton Pants for the boys

My boys are growing like weeds and seem to grow an inch every month. I certainly can't afford new pants for them every month so I make tons of pajama pants and shorts. I can make 2 pairs of shorts that fit them perfectly or 1 pair of pants with a yard of fabric.

I have been using a great printable PDF from Hammer & Thread with a little customization for length. Check out her post here.

I have a few sources for inexpensive fabric. We have a local fabric wholesale warehouse that sells fabric cutoffs by the pound and yardage as low as 3.99 a yard. I check there regularly as the bins change often of what is available.  I also check our local Goodwill often for .99 mens shirts I can cut down as well as sweatpants for fleece. Last but certainly not least is Joann Fabrics as a good source of novelty prints and denims. I signed up for the sale emails as well as the coupons they mail you. You can double up coupons as long as they come from different sources, i.e. internet, mail, instore. If you time it with a sale you can get great bargains.

I recently made a sizable purchase of fabric from Denverfabrics.com. The specials change there regularly so check back every now and again. I got shirt fabrics at $2.00 a yard as well as a beautiful rose colored knit for me.Very nice quality I must say. Check them out here.


 Happy Sewing!

Favorite Links

I started a new section today called favorite links over there on the right hand side. I plan to add a few links I find incredibly useful. Take a look, you might find some new inspiration.

Spice of Life (taco seasoning mix)

I am all about the spices. When you are cooking basic inexpensive food spices can fool your mouth into thinking you are dining at a fine restaurant on a mac and cheese budget. My children get spices from the time they can eat table food.

 A sprinkle of cinnamon, a dusting of chili powder, or a pinch of pepper can remake the bland into the gourmet.

Here's a basic taco seasoning that you can use on chicken, beef, or even sprinkled over potatoes before you roast them for a smoky flavor.

What spice mix can you not live without?

Chili Taco Mix

1/3 cup cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
 1 tsp dried oregano


Mix all together and store in an airtight container. I use canning jars for my spices.

2 Tablespoons is enough to flavor 1 pound of ground beef.

Enjoy!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Every now and again I come across a recipe that includes sweetened condensed milk. which I very rarely have on hand. My friend Caroline gave me this recipe and it works great and saves me a trip to the store.

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 c. cold water
1 1/4 c. nonfat dry milk
3/4 c. sugar

Measure water into 2 cup glass container. Gradually stir in milk
powder
until smooth. Microwave on high 3/4-1 minute until milk is steaming
hot. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Allow to cool before using.
Substitutes for 1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk.

Fast Apple Coffeecake

Ever need to throw a cake together for company at the last second or need to feed a couple extra kids at snack time?
This cake is super fast and easy and sure to please.

  Upsidedown Apple Coffee Cake

1  18 oz. cake mix, prepared according to pkg. directions
or use your favorite homemade recipe for cake(May use spice cake or white or yellow)
3 - 4 cups Baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced, enough to fill
bottom of baking dish
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon of apple pie spice(if you use a spice cake mix leave this out)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon



 Pre-Heat oven to 350 *F. Grease a 9x13 pan.
Place apples in 9x13 cake pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon,apple spice,
and sugars and
stir to coat. Pour prepared cake mix over apples. Bake according to
directions on cake mix. Cake can be served warm or cold.

  ENJOY!!!

Applesauce Snack Cake

I kid myself that I make this for the kids but I really love this cake. Fragrant and yummy, it's a go -to any time of year. I dust it lightly with confectioners sugar or serve with ice cream for a treat.

                                                 

Applesauce Snack Cake

2 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 c raisins

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease  or spray a 9x13 pan.
Beat all ingredients except raisins in a large  bowl.
Stir in raisins .
Pour into pan.
Bake for 25-30 mins. .
Cool  pan on wire rack.
Cool completely. before cutting..
Serves 16 ( 12 generously)

No Bake Cereal Bars

For some reason I am struggling for afterschool snacks these days. I pulled out some old but good recipes and thought this one would be good to share.

 It's highly customizable and has easy ingredients. Chocolate chips do not work well, they will melt, but any nut, dried fruit, or hard shelled candy works well. 

These are not the best for nutrition, though you can certainly boost it a bit with dried fruit and flax seeds. I can guarantee the kids will love them though and they are insanely easy.
 

No-Bake Cereal Bars

4 C. Cheerios
2 C. Rice Krispies
2 C. dry roasted peanuts
2 C. M & M's
1 C. light corn syrup
1 C. sugar
1 1/2 C. creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients, set aside. 

 In a saucepan, bring corn syrup and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently. 

Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter and vanilla.

 Pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat evenly. 

Spread into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Cool. 

Cut into 3x3" bars. Yield: 15 bars.

I have used a 12x17" jelly roll pan and got about 32
bars. You can use 2 9x13 pans, and make a couple  batches.

Yummy!