A little baking 101

Seeing as tomorrow is the first day of November and the holiday baking season is around the corner, I thought I would share a little baking 101... 

Do you know why we need baking powder and baking soda when we bake?  These two items are leavening agents and are added to our baked goods to help the batter rise.  When both are used in one recipe the baking powder does the leavening and the baking soda neutralizes the acid and adds tenderness.  Also, to avoid holes in your batter, you should always sift the two into your dry ingredients before you add to your wet ingredients. 

Now how do you know that your baking soda and baking powder that you purchased last year are still good?  Here's how you can test to make sure they are still doing their jobs in all your holiday baked goods?

Testing baking powder:  Add a teaspoon of baking powder to a few tablespoons of warm water, if it bubbles it is working and the more bubbles the fresher it is.

Testing baking soda:  Use white vinegar instead of warm water.  The soda should bubble and foam if it's fresh. 

I hope this little tid bit of info helps you make the most delishious goodies this year. 

As a side note, my dear friend Linda has let me borrow her book about all the useful things to do with baking soda, so I will be sharing some of those helpful hints once I get through the book.  You wouldn't believe all the things you can do with baking soda...who knew.

Happy baking.

Apryl

Transfer a photo to wood

In my quest to be creative and thanks to Pinterest, I have found a fondness for transferring pictures onto wood.  It is so simple to do, adds a personal touch to snapshots and can also be a wonderful sentimental gift.  When I saw this picture my daughter had snapped of her and her brother, I knew I would be transferring it.  I couldn't help myself, I just love this pic.

I hope this tutorial inspires you.

What you will need:

A photo printed with a laser printer. Cheap copy paper is fine. Remember, if you want the transfer to look exactly like your picture, you will need to mirror the pic when you print it. 

Piece of wood.  I have used scrap wood I have hanging around, but this time I purchased a block from Michael's.  I like the block as it stands alone.

Gel medium:  I found mine in the acrylic paint section at Michael's (don't forget your coupon).   

Mod Podge:  I was out of matte finish so used my gloss, but think matte would have looked nicer...next time.

Acrylic paint:  You only need paint if you want to add color to your border, but the natural wood is lovely too.

Apply your gel medium with a foam brush evenly over the area where your

picture will be placed.  Try not to spread it on too thick, as it causes bubbles that are

hard to get out and if you spread it to thin, your picture won't transfer completely. 

So just a nice even amount and you will be fine.  

Lay your paper photo side down over the area and gently work all the bubbles and

creases out.  I have a Mod Podge tool, but your fingertips actually work better.

Note your paper will be a little damp so be gentle, you don't want to tear your pic. 

Now here comes the hardest part...waiting for it to dry. 

I usually wait overnight, but it only takes a few hours if it's warm.

Once it's dry, take a wet sponge or cloth and soak the area.  I know it sounds strange, but

I promise this is what you do.  After it is really wet you will then use the

tips of your fingers to rub the paper off.  You will do this process several times. 

Once you think your picture is transferred, it will dry white again and you will start over. 

Did I say this was simple?  It really is, just a little elbow grease that's all. 

keep going.....

almost done....

paint and seal

now admire.

See I told you it was easy.

As a side note, if you are giving as a gift you can always sign the back of the wood. 

Or like I did in this case (sorry no pic) I had my kids sign it. 

Great Christmas gift for grandparents hint, hint, hint.

Enjoy your day.

Apryl



Lemon loaf LOVE

Hello all.
What a weekend...our house was hit by the flu bug and it didn't want to leave.  We are finally on the road to recovery and I'm feeling up to posting this delicious recipe I tried a couple of weeks ago.  If you have ever tasted the Starbucks lemon loaf, you are going to fall head over heals for this recipe.  Please note that I made it for a group of friends who also happen to be avid Starbucks customers and I was told it tastes better...jus sayin', but you can make it for yourself and be the judge.

Lemon Loaf:
(makes 2 loaves)
1 lemon cake mix (I used Dr. Oetker Organics from Sprouts)
1 large box instant lemon pudding mix
1 cup water
4 eggs
1/3 cup oil
zest of 1 lemon

For the Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix all of the ingredients for the loaf together and pour into two greased loaf pans and bake for 30 minutes.

While the loaves are baking mix together the ingredients for the glaze.  Once the loaves come out of the oven, pour the glaze over the hot loaves.  Let cool or refrigerate and then ENJOY! 

It's feels like fall outside today and a slice of this with a cup of coffee would be so perfect right about now.
Enjoy.
Apryl

A little green helps clean

Adding houseplants to your inside living space is both beautiful and healthy.  Houseplants require indirect lighting, so make sure that they are placed near a window.  Studies show that using plants in interior spaces decreases the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs. 

Plants also remove toxins from the air - up to 87 percent of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) every 24 hours, according to NASA research.  For air purification, use 15 to 18 plants in 6 to 8-inch diameter pots for an 1,800-square-foot house.  That's about one large plant every 100 square feet or two smaller plants (4 to 5-inch pots).  Here are some ideas for placing plants in and around your home.

Have a good rest of the week.
Imelda

Mother's Little Helper

Hello all.

My very talented friend Patty over at Mother's Little Helper  makes the cutest child size aprons, tooth fairy pillows, reusable snack bags and fun ribbon loop play blankets.  She also makes beautiful nursing cover ups aka hooter hiders. 

What I love about her reusable snack bags, is that they can be put in the washer and the dryer and little hands can easily open them too. 

Here are just a few samples, but please note she has a wonderful collection of fabric and if you have something in mind let her know and she might have the perfect fabric. Kingston loves his dinosaurs and she has made him the cutest dino inspired tooth fairy pillow.

If you are interested please head over to her Mother's Little Helper facebook page and drop her a note. These are great gifts that are personal and homemade.

I'm inspired by your talent Patty.

Apryl

Tooth fairy pillows $10.00

Tooth fairy pillows $10.00

Aprons $20.00

Snack bags

2 or more $5 each or...

Snack - $5

Medium - $6

Sandwich - $7

Ribbon loop play blanket $23.00

Hooter hiders - $20.00

Not so spooky Halloween decorating

Strange I know, but I have never been a huge fan of Halloween.  Even as a kid I wasn't really into dressing up and trick or treating.  I do love the fall and would happily decorate with fall decorations from October through November.  However...my kids enjoy Halloween and the decorations that come with it.  I believe that less is more and that simple touches make the best decorated spaces.  So...here are a few things you can do or make to add a little trick or treat to your own home without making your home scary.  If you want scary hop over to Pinterest which has plenty of spooky ideas.  In the event you would like to do any of the not so scary things below in your own home, the link under each picture will direct you to the website and it's directions.  The two painted pumpkins at the bottom would be fun if done with glow in the dark paint too...I'm just sayin'. 

Happy October!
Apryl

via Woman's Day

via Martha Stewart

via Martha Stewart 

via Think Crafts!

Via Better Homes and Gardens

My little boy is officially no longer a toddler

It is with a bit of sadness that I write this post, as this summer we moved our not so little man into a "big boy bed."  After coming to terms with the fact that he had outgrown his toddler bed, we went on the hunt for a twin bed of some sort.  I had no idea how expensive a twin bed frame could be and I also couldn't find anything that I really liked.  We found the mattress set on sale; but decided we would keep searching for the frame.  I always find it funny how things work out...on the way home with the mattress in the back of our expedition, we noticed that one of our neighbors had put a twin wooden bed frame with drawers out on the curb for $20 bucks.  We pulled over and I fell in love with this ugly beat up frame.  I told Anthony "I can work my magic on this."  Kingston requested his bed be blue, so off I went to grab my trusty primer and some blue paint and with a little elbow grease and wood glue my little boy now has a great "big boy" bed he can continue to grow in and jump on.

Here's to enjoying our little ones growing up.

Apryl

  

Planting in the sun

Give your outdoor space a makeover with heat tolerant plants.  I have little shade in my back yard so I needed plants that would withstand the high temperatures we have been experiencing lately.  I chose plants with color, and where possible, created a three-step arrangement that would shield less heat tolerant plants. 

For the bare stucco walls I decided on hanging baskets...just be sure to water regularly since water evaporates quickly from them.  You can also use stand-alone pots placed around a pool or driveway to add color.  I usually buy plants at Home Depot or Lowes, but its good to shop around since these stores vary in selection.  For best results make sure to read the information on each plant and follow the recommendations listed.

Happy planting,

Imelda

A place for baby

I didn't end up at the Long Beach flea market this weekend, but instead spent Saturday and Sunday at the hospital welcoming my nephew Ryan into this wild and crazy world.  He is so perfect and also happens to be a very big boy coming in at 9lbs 11oz.  We see football in his future. 

So in honor of our families newest addition today is a little nod to the nursery...

There are so many different pictures I would've loved to have added to this post, but decided on these four very lovely rooms.  I've always felt that a baby's room should be peaceful, calming and soft.  I guess because a baby is soft, I feel their surroundings should feel the same.  Simple touches make any room feel complete.  By adding stacked blocks to a shelf or perhaps a book from your own childhood, a picture of your baby, or even wooden initials you are softening the room. This goes for any room in your home not just the nursery.  Personal touches make a home feel welcome and isn't that how we want our children to feel when we bring them home?  

My own little man is turning five next week and oh how I wish his room was still a nursery instead of the big boy room filled with trains, dinosaurs and his latest love transformers. 

Have a great week.

Apryl

via The Elegant Abode 

via HomeKlondike.com

via Jack and Jill Interiors

via Project Nursery