garden 2013: week 5 update

I don't have much to report this week other than we added a few thing to the garden and everything seems to be growing well. Take a look.

 we now have a peach tree (with a few peaches)

 My husband brought home this box from work, so we planted some carrots for fun, we'll see what happens, the soil may not be the best for carrots, but worst case scenario we're out $5ish  and we'll mix the dirt into one of our garden beds next year.

 You may not be able to tell, but I added 5 square cages to this bed. My zucchini was hogging space my watermelon will need, so they are now contained.

 Another benefit is that it should be easier to pick the quash when it's ripe since I won't have to fish through all the prickly leaves and stems.

 Some of the corn doesn't seem to want to grow, but most of it is doing just fine. Hopefully enough will do well to allow for the pollination.

 My tomatoes are getting unruly too

 Note to self: don't plant the pepper so close to the grape vines, they bushed out a lot more this year than last year

 Future eggplant. I just love these flowers

The grapes this week.

How is your garden doing?

Marshmallow fondant tutorial using a stand mixer

I am often asked what type of fondant I use and when I reply that I usually make my own, the next question is usually finding out what recipe I use. Well, today I'm going to let you in on that secret. I use this recipe for my Marshmallow Fondant. I make it in my Kitchen Aid, but you can do it by hand.

You'll need: salt, lemon juice, lemon extract, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, marshmallows, and shortening (not pictured)

Thoroughly grease a large plastic bowl, wooden spoon, mixing bowl, and kneading tool of KA.

Put 15 oz marshmallows and 2 T water into the plastic bowl and microwave 2 minutes stirring with the greased wooden spoon at 40 second intervals.

The marshmallows should be completely melted and soupy when it is ready.

Transfer melted marshmallows to KA mixing bowl and immediately add the lemon juice, both extracts, salt and corn syrup.

If you want a full batch of one color, now is the time to do it. Use gel colors and keep adding until you achieve your desired shade.

Start adding the 7 1/2 cups shifted powdered sugar and knead on 2 (low).

I find it helpful to add some shortening in with the last 1/2 C sugar (this differs from recipe).

Once it is thoroughly mixed, prep a piece of plastic wrap by greasing it with shortening, grease your hands, and remove fondant from bowl. It will probable be stuck to the sides a bit, so you'll have to really dig at it. Form it into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap. Wrap it in a second piece of plastic wrap and seal in a plastic bag with the air squeezed out.

Congrats, you have just made a batch of fondant. Allow it to at least sit overnight before using.

I'm over at Mormon Mommy Blogs today with my take on making time for mom. Check it out.

garden 2013: week 4 update

We're getting into the very exciting part of gardening now...maintaining and waiting. I think everything is in and is growing. Though we've been talking about adding another bed, but who knows if that'll happen this year.

 We had 2 raspberries ready for picking.

 The grapes are starting to look more like what you see at the store.

 The lettuce is growing (I'm not sure I can say the same for the spinach I planted next to this spot)

 The cucumbers are getting bigger, still not ready to climb, but getting there.

 The peppers are getting bigger as are the marigolds I planted with them and the tomatoes.

 The tomato plants are getting huge and we actually have tomatoes forming now.

 The corn is getting tall and the peas and beans have all sprouted. I need to weed again.

 Everything in here is getting so big!

I just love the blooms on the summer squash.

How's your garden doing this week?

Cake decorating basics: an upcoming series

Did you know that I sometimes decorate cakes? Usually for fun, but periodically for a small profit.

That's pregnant me putting the finishing touches on a wedding cake

My daughter's 3rd birthday is coming up and to celebrate, I'm going to share some recipes and tutorials so that you too can make and decorate cakes.
Warning: There is nothing healthy about the recipes I will be sharing, so if you  use them just don't eat the whole thing by yourself.
Here's what you can expect over the next several weeks:

• Marshmallow fondant tutorial using a stand mixer (best tasting fondant I've ever had and it's a whole lot cheaper than store bought)
• An easy and delicious cake mix extender recipe (the least expensive way I've found to make a lot of very delicious cake)
• Super easy and delicious icing (this is way better than the store bought stuff and at least half the price)
• How to ice a cake
• How to cover a cake with fondant
• Crispy rice treats: how they can assist your cakes

garden 2013: week 3 update

Some weeks I am just astounded by the growth in my garden. Last week, none of my cucumbers had sprouted and now they're as big as the starters I saw for sale at a local greenhouse.

 I did finally get around to planting my snap peas and pole beans next to the corn sprouts.

 I also managed to some weeding and cover most of the this bed with newspaper to block weeds from coming up.

 The tomatoes are getting bigger too

 and so are the peppers. A neighborhood animal kept digging up the littlest pepper in the upper left corner (below), so I wasn't sure how it'd do. Well the animal finally stopped and I think the plant might be ok.

 My raspberries are starting to turn red...mmm I can taste the yumminess already

 ...and here's what the grape sprigs look like this week

How is your garden growing?

ending the gfcf experiment

I am ecstatic to report that the exclusion of gluten and dairy are not needed in our house! I have gained such an appreciation for what so many families go through to avoid allergens. I know we could do it if we had to, but I'm pretty sure the whole family is grateful to have that particular adventure behind us.

Patiently waiting for big bro's preschool program to start

We're still sticking with our almond milk and keeping things low dairy, but it is so much easier to get the kids to eat some things when you can serve it with a little dairy (like spinach and ranch dressing).

In case you missed it, my daughter has some autistic tendencies and the thought was that removing gluten and caesin (the protein found in dairy) would help her to engage better and possibly start talking and at least attempting some of the other developmental milestones she is now late for.

Shortly after going completely gluten and dairy free, I started to see some improvements in her engagement, but wasn't convinced it was the diet (mother's instinct- i guess), so we went back off and she's still making improvements.

Some people find it incredibly silly that I even bothered, but after learning about the possible benefits, I never wanted to live with the what ifs.