Category

Farm Life

June 6, 2013

Make Your Own Canning Jar Cup with Straw

Aren’t these cutest things ever?

I love Ball canning jars and thought this was the best idea for summer.
This handy dandy portable cup with straw is perfect for car trips, parties, or just to use at home!
I have seen them many places…so this is a copy cat idea.
But here is my take on how to make them!

I made several and they were super easy, fast, and my kids love their new cups.

You will need:

canning jar and lid {blue Ball jars sold HERE if you can’t find them  locally}
3/8th drill bit….or a nail and a pair of needle nose pliers
1/4 inch rubber grommets {sold at hardware stores…or HERE}
*the inside of the grommet (or sometimes called a gasket) measures 1/4 inch

First you will need to drill a hole that is 1 cm wide on the top lid.
You can safely drill a hole by holding the lid tightly and letting it overhang halfway over a sturdy table or surface.a
Drill in desired spot.

If you don’t have a drill, you can use a hammer and nail to make the initial hole.
Then use your needle nose pliers to gently make a 1 cm opening.


Make sure the underside has all metal around the hole pressed flat.
You could also trim with small wire cutters.
It just needs to be flat!

Now insert your grommet.

It’s that simple!
It might take 5 minutes to put together.
*I wash the lids with soap and water, dry thoroughly, and haven’t put them in the dishwasher.

Enjoy your perfect portable summer cup!

~Julia

February 28, 2012

Make Your Own Everyday Dish Cloths

In the next couple of weeks, I am really focusing on Spring cleaning.
It is always a little daunting, thinking of all of the work, but I sooo love the end result.
Organizing, cleaning out, giving away…it just makes me feel good!
Usually I “Spring clean” all year and just take a room a month and deep clean.
This year, life was busier and I am back to doing most of it at once.

So, why not make it a pleasant experience and spice things up with some pretty dish cloths?

They are made from old towels and lovely scraps of fabric.
{Do you find you need to replace towels in the Spring, too?}
 I prefer to have absorbent cloths because when I clean…I really clean!
And these are not meant to be kept stain free…they are meant to be used!
I have other pretty towels that I save for drying dishes or my hands after cooking.
I want to emphasize that anyone can make these!
 They are super duper simple, quick, and such a money saver.
{I don’t use paper products in the kitchen at all.}
You will need:
old towels
several cotton fabric scraps at least 12×12 inches
you could also use old sheets, flannel shirts, or other cotton clothing for the top {use what you have on hand}

Cut a 12×12 inch square out of the towel and a matching piece of fabric.

Place together.

Sew about 1/2 inch all the way around, leaving the edges raw.
Wash, and the edges will fray nicely.

You have a pretty way to clean!

These cloths also make a nice gift for Moms…maybe even a new Mom with a little one?
If you want to add even more pretty things to your kitchen, you could try making my Everyday Napkins or Ruffled Dish Towel.
Happy Spring cleaning!
~Julia

January 28, 2012

Make Your Own Everyday Cloth Napkins

In an effort to save a little, I decided it was high time we had everyday cloth napkins.
In my Grandma’s day, it was all they used and I am not sure why I haven’t made the switch before now!
They are sturdy, practical, money saving, and charming.
They would also make a lovely gift!

I bought a vintage sheet at Goodwill….the colors are so cheery and Spring like!
It was also made really well.
When looking for fabric for cloth napkins, you need to keep in mind that they will be heavily used.
Cotton fabrics are a great choice as they wash easily and are soft and absorbent.
My sheet was fairly thick and washed well.
I don’t believe I will iron the napkins unless we have company:).
I cut 8 napkins to a generous 21″ x21″, so that the final result is 20″x20″.
Make sure that you cut a perfect square.
I used my cutting mat and rotary cutter to measure perfectly.
I also made a few in a darker color for those meals that may possibly stain:).
The fabric is from my stash and I thought this was a perfect way to use up old material!
I found a great tutorial on mitered edges from Amy at Homestead Revival.
Hemming in this way gives your napkins a really finished look.

Use your iron to press the hem first…this really helps!

First, you will need to fold down the corners.
Measure 1.5 inches from the tip of the corner down each edge.
Fold down on these marks to make a triangle.
Press each corner down.

Snip off about a 1/2 inch of the triangle.

Press down each side about a half inch.

Fold over a second time…about a half inch…and press.

Repeat on all four sides. You may have to adjust things a bit to make everything fit perfectly.
The two hems should meet nicely in the middle like this…

Now, pin everything in place and stitch around the inside seam first.

This is what it will look like on the finished side.

I like to stitch a second seam along the outside edge to secure the corners down.
You could also make a small hem along the mitered seam instead.

And that’s it!

Everyday napkins are so economical and a really fast project.
I am hoping to make a few just for special occasions, too.
To care for your napkins, just spray with a stain remover after a meal…if you have stains.
I just wash and dry mine, fold them, and place them in a nice wire basket that sits near the table.
Ironing is really optional if you use the right fabric.

Enjoy your day!

~Julia

September 29, 2011

Freezing Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce

I have been keeping up with my tomatoes this year and have sooo many!
The kids and I eat the Cherry Tomatoes fresh whenever we walk by…
And these Lemon Plums are sooo sweet!
I planted mostly Romas for canning, sauce, and salsa.
They are a dense, meaty variety and are versatile for many recipes.
We picked a whole fruit box the other day, and then I panicked because I knew I didn’t have the time to can them. Why do I do that?
Luckily, I ran into this post by Serena Thompson of The Farm Chicks.
What a simple and delicious way to preserve tomatoes….just wash, blend, and freeze!
She puts a little Olive oil and sautes garlic in a pan before adding the frozen tomatoes and using them in soups or other recipes.
 Yum!
 I can’t wait to try it!
So, to freeze tomatoes {either diced or pureed}:
Wash them really well.
Take off the stems.
Using a food processor or blender, either dice them or puree.
If you don’t want as much liquid, let tomatoes drain in a colander before freezing.
Pack into freezer bags, seal, and label.
I like to put about 2 cups per quart bag because this is a perfect amount for soups and other recipes.
This was a really fast way to preserve tomatoes and I am sure that the nutritional value is better because everything is so fresh and the skins are included.
I totally needed this…some days I feel overwhelmed with the amount of “To Do’s” on my list.
I think it only took me 30 minutes to process about  35 pounds of tomatoes.
Too fun!
Hope you have a GREAT day:).

~Julia

Joining Amy at Homestead Revival for her Preparedness Challenge:)

September 26, 2010

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Spice Bars

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip 
Spice Bars
***** 

I think the name of this recipe says it all!
Yum!!
 

Ingredients
 
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 package {12 oz.} semi-sweet chocolate chips
 
Makes: 24 bars
 
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil.
You want it to overlap on all sides.
 

 In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt.
 

Set aside and get ready for the good stuff:).
 

With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until sweet and smooth. 
Add egg and vanilla until combined.
I ran out of pure vanilla, but imitation works just fine!
 

Now, add the pumpkin puree.
The mixture should appear curdled…so don’t worry!
 

Slowly add in the dry ingredients…who have been waiting patiently to join the party:).
Mix until just combined.
 

Fold in the chocolate chips…my favorite!
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared dish.
Bake until edges begin to pull away from the sides or a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached. 
This should take 35-40 minutes.
 
Make sure to let the cake cool completely.
Next, just lift it out of the pan, remove foil and cut into 24 perfect squares. 
 

Enjoy a scrumptious Fall treat!
 
Original recipe from Martha.
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make it!
Just mix together:
 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
 3/4 tsp. ginger
 1/2 tsp.nutmeg
 1/2 tsp ground all spice
  1/2 tsp. ground cloves
 
~Julia
 
Sharing this delicious recipe here.