The Farm Chicks

Sprinkle Toppers

Aren't big sprinkles adorable? The only problem is they're so hard to find. And then they're CRUNCHY, which isn't very enjoyable when you're taking a bite of a soft, fluffy cupcake, right? So, I've taken to making them myself. You can make different shapes, but today I really want to show you hearts. (Another phase of mine... Note the My Favorite Find logo, and this year's FC Show poster... :)) Love love love. It's what it's all about! hee hee

So anyway, they're really simple. Simply take a handful of candy melts in your desired color and heat for about 30(+/-) seconds in the microwave to melt:

Stir the melts until all smooth. Transfer mixture into the corner of a large ziploc bag and cut the tip off:

Line a tray with wax paper. Carefully squeeze out heart shapes, one side at a time. Squeeze briefly from the top, angling the heart side to the center, then pulling the shape, without squeezing any more out. Sort of just dragging what you've already squeezed:

  

Ohhh. So cute! And SOFT, so they won't break your teeth. Hooray!

Make as many as you like. zip. zap. zoom. And you're done! Then, top your favorite treats. Like cookies, sundaes, or cupcakes.

Just one.

Or lots. Why not? We're equal opportunity sprinklers!

.... and with a few sprinkles, she'll change the world.

The Lemon Steamer Cleaner

The microwave really needs a washing.  This is what happens when children heat food until it explodes. I won't use cleaners that are full of chemicals because I don't want those fumes seeping into our food. Here's what I do instead.

I remove the tray and give it a wash in hot soapy water. (I love Mrs. Meyers dish soap!)

Sparkley!

Next, I slice a lemon in half and squeeze it into a little microwave safe bowl of water.

I place it into the microwave and cook it on high for 4 minutes. The lemony water boils and steams.

When it stops, I don't open the door for 10 minutes, allowing that citrusy steam to loosen up the grime.

When I open the door, I wipe everything down with a clean cloth, and just like that, it's lemony clean.

Hooray!

 

Tomatoes and Harvest Prep

My tomatoes are going like gang-busters right now, and I'm obsessed with keeping up with the pickings. I can't stand the thought of any going to waste.

This weekend I did lots of harvesting and am slowly putting each garden bed to rest for the winter as each one is picked out. Good night, snap peas. Good night, edamame. Good night, corn.

While I was harvesting, Colin was doing manly things, like protecting our new trees from the deer. Did you know deer love to mash their antlers against tree bark in the fall? If you don't protect new trees, they'll surely die. Colin likes to use chicken wire to wrap the bark because it's not really noticeable, which just looks a bit nicer in the yard.

I think that canning tomatoes is kind of unnecessary, because freezing is just so much handier (and keeps the nutritional value much higher because it's not all cooked out during the canning process). To process, I simply chop up the tomatoes (not necessary to chop the cherry tomatoes) and blend them up in my cuisinart. Then I place the mixture in a freezer bag (about 2-3 cups in each) and freeze for use in fresh tomato sauce (or soups, etc.) throughout the winter.

For a very simple, yet fresh and summery tasting sauce, heat fresh garlic and olive oil in a saucepan just until the garlic is aromatic. Add in the frozen tomatoes (frozen or thawed is fine) and cook just until heated. Season with basil and salt and serve with pasta.

Tip: Skinning the tomatoes before processing is completely unnecessary here, as the skins are blended up and are not noticeable when eaten.

 

Chocolate Dipped Anything

It's always good to have a back-up dessert option for those times friends stop by or you just want to create a wonderful treat in no time flat. Chocolate Dipped Anything is a favorite of mine. I know, I had you at chocolate, right? And to make it even better, why not sprinkle it up? With sprinkles, of course.

Here's all you need:

Chocolate Chips

Vegetable Oil

Fruit or cookies for dipping

Combine chocolate chips and oil together in a small vessel such as a small measuring cup or bowl. (Something that is a bit more narrow than a standard cereal bowl, yet large enough for you to dip into, as this makes the chocolate go further). I use about 1/2 teaspoon of oil to 1 cup of chocolate chips.

Microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until oil and chocolate are combined and the mixture is melted and smooth.

Dip fruit/cookies into the chocolate, followed by a dip into a bowl of sprinkles (you can skip the sprinkles if you'd prefer) and place onto a sheet of tin foil or waxed paper.

  

  

Allow to sit and harden (you can speed this up by placing them in the fridge for about 15 minutes). Once chocolate has set, transfer to a serving platter and serve.

Ooh-la-la!

Tips:

I like to do serve a mixture of dipped, un-dipped, some sprinkled, and some not, so there are choices for everyone's tastes.

Tiny bunches of grapes are a favorite of mine for dipping, and are an unexpected twist to the traditional strawberry.

I prefer to use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but milk chocolate and white chocolate are delicious too.

Make sure fruit is completely dry before dipping. Water and chocolate don't mix, and the water will make the chocolate become instantly lumpy and unusable.

I always keep large jars of different sprinkles on hand. I buy mine from Bake it Pretty.

Strawberry Fool

Greetings from the countryside of Dayton, Washington!

Colin and I just enjoyed one of the most memorable dinners ever. (I'll be writing about it next week).

And good news! We enjoyed "Strawberry Fool" for dessert. In honor of Strawberry Week, I thought I'd share the concept of the dessert with you here, and how you can re-create it at home.

Please don't roll your eyes when I tell you this...

This is a very simple dish!

And elegant? YES!

To create, quarter fresh strawberries and gently stir in granulated sugar (add sugar to taste). Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, until the strawberries begin to release their juices. Combine strawberry mixture with heavy whipping cream and taste to ensure the mixture is suitably sweetened for a dessert. Beat until cream is stiff.

Scoop beaten strawberry cream mixture onto a chilled platter, top with chocolate cookie wafers and fresh raspberries. Drizzle with sweetened, unwhipped, heavy cream and embellish with thinly sliced fresh mint. Serve immediately.

If you want to get really fancy (and create more work for yourself), drizzle with Creme Anglaise, instead of the sweetened, unwhipped, heavy cream.

And how many times in your life have you gotten to announce that you're serving "Strawberry Fool" for dessert? Yeah, me too.

xo, from Dayton

P.S. Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers are readily area where I live, however, if they're not in your area, the next best substitute (but a pain in the neck) would be Oreo cookies with the filling removed.

Strawberry Fun

Let's have some fun with strawberries around the house!

Little cups of fresh strawberries are darling at each person's place at the table:

An old strawberry ice cream carton turns an ordinary supermarket plant into something sweet:

Strawberry Candies, like these marshmallows, make a lighthearted display:

Sources:

The clear glass mini cakestand is from Pottery Barn.

The Italian Strawberry Marshmallows are from Wal-Mart.

Kitchen Planning

When I was thinking about the layout of my kitchen, I wanted to try and incorporate as many features as I could that would make the most out of my space. (I like everything to be tucked away).

Magazines and kitchen design books were a really great way to get good ideas. I especially liked the idea of having a chopping block that sits over the garbage, so I can just scrape the unwanted scraps right in.

Colin even took part in the planning by making sure I could just press on the front of the drawer and it will pop right out, which is really handy if my hands are full. Then, when I'm done, I can just push the chopping block and garbage right back in, and out of the way.

The chopping block is great for chopping that involves skins or trimmings that need to be thrown out. And when I'm chopping things like nuts, I usually just do that right on the counters.

I'm really pleased with my counters, which are quartz (by Zodiaq). They truly seem to be bomb proof. They don't stain, scratch, etch, or scorch and that's such a relief for me because I don't want to be the mom who's constantly freaking out about that sort of thing.

Post Edits: Yes, I compost. There are two bins in that drawer. One for garbage and one for compost.

You can read more about the drawer here.

You can read more about my kitchen here: Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5.

You can read all the details about our farmhouse building process here.

Rhubarb Flowers

Fresh flowers are one of the things that really make a home feel special. I love them so much. But I also enjoy using other greenery and foliage to pretty things up. Take rhubarb for example:

With its dreamy pink stalks and soft ruffly green leaves, it's a vision to behold.

So much loveliness is beginning to appear because it's spring. Look around and see. What can you find to make your home a happy place to be?

Serena's Rules for Packing

If there was any month in the year that I could choose to take a sunny vacation, it would always be February. Here in Spokane, it's the grayest of months and always feels like winter has gone on too long.

We were able to get away this year and the sun did us all some good. When we travel, I have one basic rule: Less is more. We never check suitcases, choosing to use carry-ons instead. It forces us to bring less and is just a lot more efficient. No waiting for checked or lost luggage and if there's a different flight we'd like to stand-by for (getting us to our destination earlier) it's possible since we don't have checked bags. (Airlines require that passengers travel on the same plane as their luggage).

Several years ago, I purchased a wheeled carry-on suitcase for each of the boys at Target. They were on clearance for $5 each and have been the best vacation purchase I've ever made. Now each person in the family has their own suitcase that they're responsible for.

When choosing what to pack, I make sure all of my clothing works well together. A few shirts, shorts, a couple of swimsuits, a cover-up, light sweater, and a little dress. (Pictured above top to bottom: Sundress, top, light sweater, swimsuits, cover-up, top).

Since I will be wearing sandals most of the time, they are what I wear on the plane. These neutral sandals work well with any of my outfits. (Funny story about these sandals: One time while accompanying Colin on a business trip, I decided to go to the hotel's salon for a blow-out while he was in a meeting. When I sat down in the chair, the stylist looked down at my feet with a horrified expression. Then after doing a double-take, he said, "Oh my gosh! I thought you had hair growing out the top of your feet!"

I also make sure to pack workout clothes (and shoes) and a pair of flip-flops for pool and beach.

And my favorite thing to pack? A little sample-sized perfume. It makes every outfit just a little more special. My favorite right now? French Lime Blossom from Jo Malone. And their samples even have a little sprayer. And once we return home, I like to use the sample for a while longer to remind me of vacation.

Sources:

Top image from top to bottom:

Green Cotton Sundress: Ann Taylor Loft

Pink Floral Top: Anthropologie

Striped Sweater: The Gap

Yellow Striped Swimsuit: Target

Floral Swimsuit: Boden

Ribbon Adorned Cover-Up: Boden

Yellow T-Shirt : Target

Second Image: Sandals: The Gap

Third Image:

Tennies: Nike

Silver Flip-Flops: Old Navy

Last Image: Perfume: Jo Malone

Cracking the Curry Code

Let me begin by saying I'm a huge fan of Thai curry.  And I've scoured the face of the planet trying to gather just the right ingredients to duplicate the curry deliciousness we experience at every Thai restaurant we visit. And I've failed miserably.

My poor family. Pot after pot of "curry".  "This will be the one!", I'd exclaim excitedly, wildly waving my spoon from the kitchen. "I think this time it's going to be delicious!". And each time, after dragging each family member out from under the beds and inside the closets for sampling, it was not. Really really not.

"Maybe it's just a tiny bit too sweet?", Colin would ask. "Oh no", I'd reply. "Just swish it around in your mouth for about mmmmm five minutes and then you'll get a slight hint of the taste".  - OR -  "Mom, what was it like back when I still had tastebuds and could taste food before my tongue was burned up by your curry experiments?"

Imported curry paste from the Asian grocery store, special curry paste from the grocery store, curry powder, every coconut milk known to man, curry cookbooks that basically instruct me to fly to Thailand and harvest the ingredients myself, special recipes from friends, lemongrass, thai basil, fingers crossed, spin around touch the ground, make a wish ...      still bad.

And then .....

*WAIT*

Cue the choir!

♪ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♪

I present Mae Ploy. The answer to all of my curry hopes and dreams. (And restorer of tastebuds).

And yes, that is a 2 pound tub you see there.  Ahem. I uh.. well, I was *DESPERATE* and found Mae Ploy at a local restaurant supply store. The ends of the earth, I tell you. That's where I've traveled for this.

But before I let you in on my discovery, I wanted to make sure it was widely available (and that you wouldn't have to mortgage your right pinky to buy it) before I recommended it to you. And lo and behold, It is! You can find it here, here, here, and lots of other places online. (In Spokane, you can find it at Cash & Carry).

Oh, and here's the best part: It's just spices. And no preservatives. I just followed the simple recipe on the back which included adding some coconut milk, chicken, potatoes, etc.

I've found I like to use lowfat coconut milk best, but regular coconut milk is delicious too.  Just a lot more rich.

And just like that, I've cracked the curry code.

And none too soon. I think my family was about to rebel.

P.S. I'm not related to anyone with the names Mae or Ploy and was not paid to let you in on my little discovery.

P.P.S. If you're going to go to the trouble of making Thai curry, make sure to serve it with Jasmine rice. It's the yummiest. And nope, I don't have any relatives named Jasmine either.

Gingerbread Eggnog Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Looking for an impromptu treat when friends drop in?  My Gingerbread Eggnog Ice-Cream sandwiches are just the ticket!

Start with some thin store-bought gingerbread cookies

and some slightly softened eggnog ice-cream.

Dollop ice-cream onto bottom cookie and spread around, to cover.

Press down top cookie atop ice-cream.  Smooth around edges and place in the freezer to harden.

Serve when hardened or wrap individually, with plastic wrap and serve as needed.  The cookies will soften just like a traditional ice-cream sandwich if stored in the freezer overnight.

The combination of gingerbread and eggnog is delicious, but any flavor of your choosing would work wonderfully.  It's your treat, so you decide!

Images by the super wonderful, Samantha Cabrera.

A Sprinkling Here, a Sprinkling There

A definite must for the holidays: cinnamon and powdered sugar for dusting.

A little dusting adds a special touch to many things, such as a stack of pancakes, french toast, berries, pie, cake, and

hot cocoa!

I like to keep little shakers on hand, just for when I need them.  Cute old cake sprinkles jars, such as the pair shown above, work really well and look especially festive for the holidays.

Images by the wonderful Samantha Cabrera.

Sifting

Do you know the importance of using sifted flour when a recipe calls for it?  The success of your recipe really depends on it.  Because baking is a lot like chemistry, and it's important to follow the recipe closely.

If a recipe calls for 2 cups flour, sifted .... that means measure out the flour and then sift it.

If a recipe calls for 2 cups sifted flour .... that means sift the flour first and then measure it.

Believe it or not, it makes a big difference.

Peony Whisperer

I told Colin that I'm a peony whisperer.  Mmmm-kay he said.  But really, I am.  And really, anyone can be too.  You see, peonies are the best because they don't require water (although they like it when you give it to them) and the deer don't eat them.

But here's the thing: after they're done flowering and you've clipped all the flowers, don't cut down the plant!  Leave the foliage all intact until after the first frost.  After the first frost, clip the plant back, all the way to the ground.  And year after year, your peony will thrive and grow bigger and better than the year before.  I promise.

The Whipped Cream Secret

When it comes to the holidays, there is no better dessert topping than real whipped cream.  But when I make something, I want it to be fuss-free.  And usually, with whipped cream, it will separate after a short time.  One year by chance, I discovered that by adding honey to whipped cream, it becomes stabilized and won't separate.  Here's the trick:  Add one teaspoon of honey for each cup of whipping cream.  Whip and sweeten and you normally would (I use powdered sugar) and your whipped cream won't separate.

The Laundry Room

Growing up, we never had a washing machine or dryer.  A lot of time was spent at the laundrymat, or if I couldn't get to town, I'd handwash everything on a washboard.  And when I was scrubbing away, I'd dream of someday owning a real washing machine that was electric.  And now I do.  And I believe that laundry rooms should be pretty because I spend a lot of time in there.  And my walls should definitely be wallpapered.  I chose red gingham because it's simple and homey and makes me happy.

 

When I'm not using the counter for folding, it doubles as a sewing table for me.  I made a counter skirt out of darling vintage fabric that makes the room feel very cheery.

 

I love having open shelving in the laundry room so everything is just a quick grab away.  Although open shelves and the things that are on them can become dusty, it's not an issue for me in the laundry room, as I use my supplies so often.  Ironing is a little less tedious for me when the ironing board looks so pretty!

 

I found this old laundry soap dispenser at an estate sale.  It works perfectly for my OxiClean, which is my all-time favorite soaking detergent for old linens.  My shelves are covered in oilcloth, that not only looks pretty, but is also easily wipeable if there is a spill and doesn't damage easily.

 

Handtowels, dustcloths and microfiber dusters are now available in so many pretty colors and patterns.

 

An old clothespin bag holds utilitarian supplies.

 

Spray bottles are labelled for easy identification.

Sources:  I found my old laundry sign at Floyd and Margaret's.  The shelving and brackets are from Home Depot.  The bath towels are from Cath Kidston and TJ Maxx.  I found the vintage fabric at Spencer's Antique Mall in Spokane.  The ironing board cover came from Linens and Things.  The wire laundry baskets are from The Land of Nod.  The laundry soap dispenser came from a Monarch estate sale in Spokane (I think Monarch is one of the best estate sale companies in the area).  Oilcloth is from Cath Kidston.  The handtowel is from Martha Stewart for KMart, dusting cloths from Cath Kidston, microfiber duster from William Sonoma.  The clothespin bag was purchased at The Farm Chicks Show from dealer: Oma's Attic.  The spray bottles are from JoAnn's fabric. 

Button Love

I love clothing that has a unique touch, or something just a little special to it.  I'm pretty sure that's why I love Anthropologie so much.  But I also don't enjoy spending lots of money, especially for something that I know I can specialize on my own.  One of my favorite things to transform is buttons, because I can take an ordinary piece and make it pretty special.  This summer, I wanted a fun little jacket for our trip to Nantucket.  I went to TJ Maxx and found this little jacket on clearance for $5.

I removed the boring buttons it came with, made some fabric-covered buttons, and added them to the jacket.  (I'll have a tutorial for the buttons in a few days).

 

And now, it's completely my style.

A Trip to the Berry Farm

One of our favorite summer traditions are multiple trips to the berry farms located just minutes from our home.  My children really love picking out their berry flat carrier and hopping on the tractor for the ride to the field.

There are always contests they dream up to see who can pick the most or eat the most and everyone leaves with red, strawberry scented fingers and red-ringed lips.

Tips for the trip:

We try to pick in the early morning to avoid the mid-day heat and to avoid "baking" the berries as they sit in the flats.

The boys always end up with strawberry stains on their clothing, but they are easily removed when I pre-treat them before washing with ERA detergent.

Grow your own Patch:

Strawberries are really easy to care for and with some basic care at the end of the season, you can enjoy strawberries fresh from your own garden.

• In the fall, mow or clip down your strawberry plants to avoid pesky bug infestations.
• Cover completely with straw for protection against harsh weather.  (Avoid using hay as it encourages weed growth).
• In the spring, uncover the plants and move the straw to surround each one.  The straw will act as a natural weed barrier and will keep the area mud-free for your knees at picking time.

Curtain Crush

I love simple curtains and I have to admit, even after all these years, I still have a crush on them.  And here's the good part:  I made them out of vintage sheets.  It's true.

I LOVE good cotton sheets (vintage) that have that sturdy, yet soft feel.  And whenever I find them at estate sales, I buy them because they're good for so many projects.  For my home and style, the twin sized sheets are the perfect length for my windows.  And exactly right for my sliding glass doors too.  I use them in my kitchen, living room, and master bedroom.

To make, I just sew ribbon tabs to the top of the sheets, and hang.  Whenever they need to be cleaned, I can just throw them in the washer, and they're as good as new.  And since they're white, the best way to perk them up if they're a bit yellow-ish when I purchase them, is to give them a quick soak in Rit Color Remover.  It turns them perfectly crispy white.

And honestly, it doesn't have to be limited to sheets.  I've found darling blankets that I've turned into curtains for the boys rooms too.  And colorful, patterned sheets are great as well.  But best of all, they're so easy and inexpensive too.

Drink-o-Rama!

I love collecting great old pop bottles to fill with special drinks for guests.  Like these I filled with vanilla chai tea I'd brewed the day before.  Delicious juices work really well too!  To seal, I use new corks that we purchase from home improvement stores like Lowes.  And I always make sure to sterilize the bottles before use.

For this Prairie Party, we placed the bottled ice-teas in a huge old yellowware bowl and filled with ice.

Citrus Water

I've been trying to drink more water lately, and was inspired by The Four Seasons and how they had orange water everywhere, available for guests.  Any citrus works wonderfully and adds the perfect little burst of flavor to every glass.