Saturday, March 31, 2012

Swiffer Duster Refill Pads

I saw this on Pinterest the other day and thought I can make these!  They are totally cute fleece refills for the Swiffer Duster.  They can be reused over and over because fleece can be washed when they are to dusty to use.

Mine aren't quiet as cute or perfect as the ones selling on Etsy but that's what gives them personality and they sure are handy.  Now you too can make them at home. Here are the easy directions I came up with.
Here's what you need:

Anti pill fleece, any color, at least 1/4 yard
sewing machine or you could hand stitch these too
sharp scissors
Swiffer Duster handle
old CD
straightedge ruler
1 piece cardstock 8-1/2" x 11

First I got a piece of 8-1/2" x 11" and made my template by using an old CD to make the half circle at the top and used a ruler to draw straight lines for the sides.  The template measures 7-1/4" (center) tip to end, 4-3/4" wide with the center slots being 4-1/2" high and 3/4" each (x2) wide.
 
Next, keeping the selvage (side with edge) sides lined up, fold the fleece so you have 4 pieces thick.  Place template on top of fleece and cut around the template.
 
Taking the top two pieces; keeping them together, sew together 1/4" from straight edge bottom.
Do this to the next two pieces also so that you have two pieces each.
 
Using a pencil and a straight edge ruler mark dots where the center sewing is going to start and end.
Then, stating at the straight edge end, sew up to the top dot on one of the sides then turn and sew across the top

 
then turn and come back down.  Now sew up the middle starting 1" up from the end to create two holes for the handle to slide into.
  
Test the handle to make sure it fits in to the slots before you cut the fringe.  Next make 1/2: cuts almost all the way to the stitching to make the fringe.  Be careful around the round edge, don't cut to close to the sides at an angle. 
 
                Tada!   Homemade Swiffer Refills!

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to contact me.  I am not a professional seamstress and usually just wing it while sewing.  But these came out great!  

Enjoy!
~Hugs~
Michelle

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Friday, March 30, 2012

Mocha Brownies


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These are a super easy but very decadent type of sheet cake/brownie.  I have been making these for years and everyone loves them.  They are the perfect mix of chocolate and mocha flavors with a hint of espresso.  Perfect for a gathering or just to have on hand.

Bet you can't eat just one!
Here's what you need:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup margarine
1 cup water
1 Tbs. instant espresso powder
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Jellyroll pan or baking sheet measuring 11" x 17" x 1"

Frosting

1/2 cup margarine
2 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup milk, I use whole milk whenever I bake
1/4 tsp. instant espresso powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Pre heat oven to 400.  Spray a Jellyroll pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl and set aside.

In a medium saucepan heat the margarine, water, instant espresso and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil and then pour over the flour mixture and mix slightly.
 

 
Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.  
 
Pour into a Jelly Roll pan or a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
 

While the Brownies are cooking prepare the frosting.  

In a saucepan heat the margarine, cocoa powder, cinnamon, milk and espresso powder. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth.
  
Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as they are out of the oven.  
 
Cool completely and cut into bars.
 
They are moist and chocolaty with a hint of espresso.  YUM

Serves - anywhere from 24 - 48 depending on the size you cut.

Enjoy!
~Hugs~
Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Mocha Brownies
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Cinnamon Sugar Toast


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"What we eat for Breakfast around here"

Tonight while I was making the oatmeal I decided to make a favorite from when I was a kid.  I don't know why I don't make it more often, maybe because we are jam and peanut butter on our toast people, or maybe just because I very rarely think of it, but tonight I was in the mood for Cinnamon Sugar Toast, mmmmm.
Here's what you need:

2 slices white bread
3 tsp. butter or margarine
2 tsp. cinnamon sugar - see below


Cinnamon Sugar  (This recipe makes enough for several servings of Cinnamon Sugar Toast)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Toast bread in toaster then spread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
 

     
Cut and serve.

Serves 1

Enjoy!
~Hugs~
Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Cinnamon Sugar Toast

P.S.  No snarky comments please!

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Oatmeal


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"What we eat for Breakfast around here"

Now I know that oatmeal is a pretty simple breakfast to make, but sometimes we forget how yummy it is or just how little time it takes to make it from scratch.   And if there is anything I have learned in all my years of cooking it is to never assume that someone might know how to cook a particular recipe just because it is simple. Everyone starts somewhere.  

I like to make a Cinnamon Brown Sugar version and my family loves it.  What's your favorite thing to make or eat for breakfast?

Here's what you need:

2 cups water
2 cups milk, I use 1%
2 cups quick cooking oats, I like the texture of the smaller oats better
3/4 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

In a pan pour the water and milk.  Add the oatmeal, brown sugar, and cinnamon and stir until combined.
 

 
Heat on med-hi until it starts to bubble then turn down to medium and cook until thick.  About 5 minutes once it bubbles.
 
Serve immediately.  Comfort, cozy breakfast.

Serves 4

Enjoy!
~Hugs~
Michelle

Here's the handy printable -Cinnamon Brown Sugar Oatmeal


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Breakfast Burritos


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"What we eat for breakfast around here"

Here is the next entry in the "What we eat for breakfast around here" posts.

My kids and I Love, Love , Love breakfast burritos, the Hubs not so much, so I usually end up making some sort of meat/potato combo and the eggs separate so everyone gets their choice of how they would like to eat their's.

My friend Lupe introduced me to Spam and Potatoes Burritos years ago and they were a hit around here so I've been making them ever since.  Now before you all go "EWWW" about the Spam, have you ever tried it?

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Breakfast Parfait


"What we eat for breakfast around here"

I thought I would share some of my favorite things I cook and/or eat in the mornings, aside from my favorite of cold pizza of course.

I have several go-to breakfasts that my honey and the kiddos love.  Some mornings I just feel like cooking and some mornings I just feel like grabbing what ever is handy.  Here's what I had this morning.

Here's what you need:

6oz container of your favorite yogurt, I used a low fat vanilla
1/2 cup Granola, I used my recipe; which is awesome!
cute sundae bowl, or just a plain ol' cereal bowl

Put about 2 tbs. of the yogurt into the bottom of the bowl and then 1/3 of the granola.
 
Then continue layering with yogurt and granola until you have 3 or 4 layers and top it off with a smidge of yogurt on top.
 
See all the pretty layers.  I like to let it sit for about 15 minutes to slightly soften the granola.
This would be a great dessert too.

Serves 1

Enjoy!
~Hugs~
Michelle

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