Reclaiming The Home

Chocolate Cake for Two and a Valentines Giveaway

Valentines Day is upon us and do I have a special gift of love for you all!  My lovely friend Rachel over at Simply Abundant has offered to send these gorgeous vintage valentines to the winner of a drawing here at Reclaiming The Home!

Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?? 

If you're interested in joining in on the fun, and entering your name for the drawing, leave a comment on this post and I will announce a winner 24 hours from now (1pm CST on Valentines Day)! 

For our own valentines celebrations, I have been playing with different ideas for yummy cakes and goodies.  This is one that I whipped up last night, thanks to some prodding and motivation by one very hungry little girl with cake mix in hand.

To make this super-decadent chocolate cake for two I prepared the cake mix as described on the package, and then poured into 4 mini bundt cake pans (it probably could have made 6, no problem).  If you dont have mini bundt cake pans,  cupcake pans will work also for single servings - just fill them halfway with mix so that they dont form a big cusp at the top).  When the cakes were finished baking according to package directions, I flipped them upside down onto dessert plates.  Then I used a little bit of whipped cream in the can, and made a small whipped cream border, and filling in the center cavity.  Then I sprinkled semi-sweet chocolate chunks on the whipped cream and called it done. 

For variations you could drizzle melted chocolate, crushed nuts, cherry pie filling, or melted frosting over the top.  You could also top with one marachino cherry or a slice of fresh strawberry for a tasty and colorful touch without much added work.

Enjoy!  And dont forget to comment to be entered for the drawing! :)

New Look, New Crafts, New Kits!

Reclaiming the home is partially about the ways we bring joy and beauty into our homes with our own two hands.  In celebration of this act of love, I have redecorated the blog!  The color scheme and banner are both based upon our first Reclaiming The Club Kit! 

The kit will give you enough fabric to make a mini or doll sized quilt in the pattern of your choosing.  It will include 18 strips of fabric 9x2", backing fabric, quilt binding, and batting!  The only thing you will need to provide is a needle, thread, and a quiet corner to sit and stitch. 

I decided to go with a very simple patchwork design using this month's kit, but you could use any number of patterns, or even just create something totally unique and your own!  I will include instructions on how to create a patchwork quilt like this one with the kit!  Also with the pattern instructions, I will include tips for those who may be new to quilting and want to try it out.  A mini quilt is a great starter project, and also so much fun for those with more experience!

The kit will be available in The Shop within the week, so be watching for an announcement!  A surprise contest will also be posted that day for those who receive Reclaiming Club Kit, so there will be lots of fun ahead!

Drop a line sometime, and leave a comment if you like!  I always love to hear what you all think, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have too! :)

Mutt Muffins and Crayon Cookies

The holidays are upon us and the gift making rush is a big part of that for me (and a part that I love, I might add).  Our family is coming to stay with us this Christmas, and they have two lovely little doggies they're bringing with them as well.  I say little, but one of them weighs more than my husband!  Anyhow, all this means that we will have four dogs, one cat, four adults and two kids here for Christmas!  My goals are to do something handmade for everyone!  I'm going to share what I've been doing for the doggies and the kiddos since they are slightly less likely to read the blog!

I have been really trying to find a good doggy treat recipe that both of my boys love.  I tried a new recipe the other day, called Mutt Muffins.   As usual, I made a few changes based on what I had on hand.  Instead of honey, I used sweetened cinnamon applesauce in place of plain to make up for the sugar. This also substituted the spices since the applesauce was already spiced!  They turned out wonderfully, and I wound up with about 4 dozen small Mutt Muffins. 

I would recommend using only one heaping tablespoon per muffin cup, like I did with these.  Even with these smaller muffins my Golden Retriever, Buddy found them to be a bit chewy (which he liked) and quite the mouth full!   We got two-paws-up from Buddy, though Jack (our Terrier) was not nearly as impressed with my baking today!

I have also been working hard on some unique gifts for the kidlets!  I have really been looking forward to making them each a set of Crayon Cookies (called such not because they are edible, but because of their shape and size)!

Many of you know that my oldest daughter has developmental delays and Autism.  She has a hard time with her fine motor skills so its hard for her to hold a crayon correctly.  These will hopefully help that, as they are bigger and easier to get a grip on!  Here is how you make them!

STEP 1: Find yourself a lot of crayons!!  I got my bag at Good Will for $2.99.  There are enough in there to make at least a dozen crayon cookies!  Probably a few more.  What you see here is what is left after making one batch of 6 crayon cookies.  The crayons do not have to be new, and actually, it is usually better if they are not, since I love to look at this as a way of recycling and reusing as well!

STEP 2: Peel the paper!  To do this you will have to follow two steps.  One might ask, "What is so hard about peeling crayon paper?"  Let me tell you - after the fourth or fifth one, I could tell you exactly what was so hard about it!  Some of the crayons were very tightly wrapped, others seemed almost glued on (most likely from heat melting the wax of the crayons to their papers).  I have also learned that Crayola crayons are the most difficult to unwrap.  I still managed however, and its okay if there is a little bit of residue.  It does not have to be perfect.  The easiest way to get past this is to A) Cut down the side of the crayon, very carefully with a knife or pair of scissors (adults only please - no kiddo injuries!).  B) Peel away the paper from the slit that you cut down the side of the crayon.

STEP 3: Put It In the Pan!   BUT! Before you put the crayons in the pan, you will want to spray your muffin tin with non-stick spray.  It is also important to choose a pan that you don't mind using solely for crafts.  I chose one that I have been using for crafts for a long time (and looks pretty pathetic, so please excuse its condition - it works for this purpose LOL!).

Then you will need to decide how you want your crayon cookies to look.  Do you want them to be a big jumbled bunch of colors, showing every color in the box?  Would you like them to be sorted by color exclusively?  Do you want a few hints of like colors together?  (i personally chose to put like colors together.  So for example, my yellow crayon cookie has some orange and some green in it.  my blue crayon cookie has some purple and some green in it.  My red crayon cookie has some purple and some orange in it, and so on!)

(again i'm sorry about the ugly pan!  believe it or not, i'd washed it just before this picture... its mostly stuck on glue or paint or ink... its not gross, i promise!

STEP 4: Bake it Baby!  Set your oven to 400* and immediately put the crayon cookies in (do not preheat).  Let it bake for 10 minutes and remove immediately.  It is totally fine if they don't melt completely.  Let cool until they are no longer runny.  Here are what mine looked like as they cooled:

STEP 5: Freeze It!  Put the entire pan in the freezer.  DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THEM WHILE WARM!  I made the mistake of trying to remove the crayon cookies while they were warm, thinking they would be easier to get out.  FALSE!  They fell apart.  I put the remaining 3 in the freezer and went back to them 2 hours later.  They popped out VERY easily, by just tipping the pan upside down.  If you DO get some that break, don't fret!  spray your pan again with non-stick spray, and re-bake them to melt together once again in the proper shape, and freeze. 

Here are some photos of what they look like in their finished sizes!  Notice how they nest in one another and stack so well!  Imagine the wrapping possibilities!  You could also probably store them in a reclaimed and decorated Pringles container!

Have fun reclaiming, and do let me know if you try either of these crafts! :)

Reclaim Your Holidays!

In years past I have found that I am often so busy hustling and bustling about trying to get everything done that I don't take the time to reclaim the joy of holidays.  My family enjoys a hearty, delicious meal that is served on the finest china with beautiful garnishes.... the house looks and smells fantastic, the scene is set, and everything is perfect....... except me.  I wind up harried and stressed, barely making it out of my flannel pajamas in time for the feast, only to get right back up and start cleaning the kitchen while our family and friends fellowship together in the living room, watching holiday movies and sipping eggnog.

By the time I am finished and am able to sit back down and enjoy the festivities, I am usually so tired that I want nothing more than to sit down in my favorite chair, inevitably falling asleep, mouth agape as the family giggles at how, for another year, the "turkey" made me sleepy.

It is so incredibly important to not be a martyr by only focusing on making the holidays happier for everyone else.  Doing so puts a damper on things to begin with (if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy), so remember to take care of your wants and needs as well this holiday season.

Part of that for me, is making sure that I can prepare as much as possible before hand, so that there is not as much to do on the big day. 

Having been out of town the past few days, the only thing I was able to do ahead of time is plan my menu and get the grocery shopping done.

I have already notified everyone that they have "jobs" to do on Thanksgiving day.  I am taking care of a lot of the larger items (like the turkey, who we have named Sir Mixalot---- thanks hubby).  The family has been given smaller jobs to help take away from the amount of things I have to do, and doing so also brings people in to the kitchen to spend time with me so that I am not isolated the entire day.  Doing this also helps everyone to feel as though they had a stake in the meal, and really makes it fun when people comment how much they liked _____, which hubby made, or sister made... etc.

My kids are going to "help" me make the sweet potatoes this year.  I'm doing all of the cutting a day ahead of time, so their "job" will be to layer the potato chunks and marshmallows while i add in the brown sugar and butter.  they can then sprinkle salt and pepper, and they'll have made my favorite (and most time consuming) dish! 

Hubby has been pitching in getting the house clean.  It has helped to have a list of goals for what I wanted to have done.  What has helped the most though, has been lowering my expectations, and being OKAY with that.  Everything does not have to be perfectly clean for company.  My basic standards are: I want people to feel like they can eat in my kitchen, that my bathroom is sanitary, and that my living space is cozy and comfortable.  If I don't get the floors mopped in time, that's okay.  If all of the laundry isn't finished, I wont freak out.  If the beds don't get made, who cares.  Focus on what is important on the big day.  Prioritize, and let go of the mental stress, if just for today!

For food cleanup, We are doing several things.

During the cooking process, I am adding a "quick wash" step to every recipe.  When I use a measuring cup, spoon, utensil, or mixing bowl, I wash it as soon as I am finished using it.  This not only cuts down on the amount of cleanup after all is said and done, but it also helps me to use fewer dishes throughout the day.  My goal is to have only pots/pans and serving dishes to do at the end of the cooking and serving process.

After the meal, I am asking everyone to rinse their plate in the sink, and load it in the dishwasher.  Its just a few steps, and not a big request.  By taking this small step, I save on an ENORMOUS amount of cleanup after the meal.  Start the dishwasher as soon as all of the main dishes are in there - the rest can wait.  Honestly.  It can.  Step. AWAY. From. The dishes.

For the storage of leftovers, I have collected reusable containers to put small amounts of various foods in.  I have asked hubby to help me put the food away after the meal so that we can get it done in half of the time.  For the majority of the food we are simply covering it with the dish's lid, or with foil to put into the refrigerator.  The deboning of the turkey will occur the following day, when things settle down.  For the moment, the turkey will be wrapped in foil and placed in the refrigerator.

Any food that cannot fit in the refrigerator should be sent home with guests.  You can also bring plates full of food to the shut-ins in your community, or to college students or military men and women who are not able to get home for the holidays (you can get some cheap and pretty holiday plates from the dollar store).

Most of all, take moments throughout your day to focus on the spirit of the season within your home, take time out to fellowship with your friends and family, and don't worry about perfection.  Sweet memories with your loved ones that bring about the spirit of the holidays will last much longer than a perfectly glazed turkey or home made wassail.

Little Surprises....

Don't you just love it when things work out just perfectly... and maybe even a little better than you planned?  I know most of us live in the real world where the dishwasher breaks, you lose your keys when you're running late, and you inevitably trip in front of your old flame at the grocery store.  But some days..... some days are just better.

This week I haven't been posting as much as I would have liked to, because life has been so busy... and busy with good things I might add.

Hubby renewed his contract with his job for three more years, and got a great promotion that he's been waiting for, for a very long time.  The contract renewal we were expecting, but the promotion was a wonderful surprise that we weren't planning on.  We're thrilled!  Congratulations hubby :)  I'm proud of you!

In other news, I've been being homey. 

I've made it a point to bake something every day this week, and it has really just added so much to my day.  My family has literally scavenged every last crumb of the bread, cookies, and muffins that have been made this week, and I suspect we will be leftover-free this weekend as well.   Yum!

Fall has also made its way through Oklahoma finally.  November is usually when it sets in for me that the seasons are changing, and autumn is in the air.  We went outside tonight to play with the kids in the back yard and could smell wood burning in fireplaces throughout the neighborhood, keeping families cozy and warm, while we played and enjoyed the brisk air outdoors.  Leaves are finally falling, and our yard is littered with pecans just waiting for us to pick them up and sprinkle them into a cake or pie for a real taste of fall.  This is truly one of my favorite times of year.... *happy sigh*

With the changing of seasons comes holidays a plenty.  I am working feverishly on gifts, and have been turning to the stash for inspiration.  I had some of this fall-toned chenille yarn that had been in my stash for ages.  I knew my mother would like something made with it, but I was not sure what would work.  It doesn't have a lot of give, so I couldn't make a hat as I had originally wanted to.  She uses large purses and lots of leather, so I knew that she couldn't really use a handbag.  There wasn't enough to make a substantial scarf.  So what is a girl to do?  I saw some inspiration on Ravelry, where crafters had created drawstring bags.  I thought I might be able to do that, and it might turn out to be a cute stocking stuffer.

Well.... as it turns out, I love it. 

I think mom will love it too.  The chenille really made a difference in the elegance of the bag.  It has now turned into a very sweet, elegant gift that I think will make mom smile.

I love when things work out so unexpectedly well.  :)

Special Delivery

Look what a sweet little witch dropped off last night, fresh off her crochet hook.  She even left a pattern!  How sweet :)

Lion Jiffy Thick and Quick and a Size N Hook...

*dsc* (because this silly little witch rarely if ever uses patterns, she wasnt sure what to call her stitch.  So she called it a double, single crochet.  it is her way of decreasing stitches.  To make a double single crochet, put your hook through the first sc from the hook, yo, pull through, with two loops on hook.  Then put your hook through the second sc from the hook, yo, pull through.  You now have 3 loops on the hook.  yo, pull through all 3 loops).

~ch 2. 
~sc 5 in 2nd ch from hook
~sc 2 in each st. around (10 sc)
~sc 2 in each st. around (20 sc)
~*sc. 2 in first stitch, sc 1 in next stitch* (repeat 10 times for a total of 30 sc)
~sc in each stitch (30 sc)
~repeat sc in each stitch until you achieve the height you desire (no right or wrong - this one is kind-of short and fat)
~once you reach your desired height, begin to dsc* around until you have an opening about 2 fingers-wide. 
~stuff your pumpkin (this clever little witch reused a plastic bag as her stuffing, but you may use polyfill, cotton balls, or old socks even).
~continue dsc until you have only 4 stitches remaining. 
~sc in each stitch to create the stem.  repeat for about 5 or 6 rows (or longer - this is your discretion). 
~trim yarn one yard out. pull through loop on hook to tie off.
~using a yarn needle, poke down through the top of the stem through to the bottom of the pumpkin.  Pull the yarn back up to the top, and poke through the base of the stem to the bottom of the pumpkin  to create a "crease".  Pull snugly.  Repeat to create sections on your pumpkin. 
~when you are finished, your yarn should be out at the bottom of the pumpkin.  Tie off.

When you're done, be sure to share your lovely creations with us, by including a link to your flickr page, your ravelry page, or your blog!!!

Happy Halloween :)

Happy Halloween Ladies and Gents... I hope its a spooky one for you!  We are going to forgo the trick-or-treating tonight, since the stomach flu has made its way around our entire household (fortunately both kitty and puppy remain unscathed). 

Even still, I have acquired our yearly package of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (minis) for the dressed up little youngin's who darken our doorstep this All Hallows Eve.  Since I am feeling much better, I plan to help them devour it over the next few weeks, beginning of course with a snack or two this evening.  Yum!

Since the family is so sick and all snuggled tight in their beds, I plan to use this lovely evening to get a little crafting done.  I feel the need to do something slightly harvesty (yet frugal *wink wink*)... hmm... what could it be?

Holiday Hoopla

About this time of year it really settles in on me that the holidays are just around the corner.   My mom and my husband both just celebrated their birthdays and for me that means it is time to start prepping for Christmas as I have never prepped before. 

I'm working hard to have a handmade Christmas this year.  We have agreed to get a few new things that we need, like underwear, and some things for the house.  The kids may get a couple of books or movies.  But 99% of what we do this Christmas is going to be from our own two hands. 

I've been gradually working my way through the gift list that I made up a few months ago, but there is still a lot left to go.  With a little elbow grease, and some Christmas music I know I can get it done in no time flat. 

I don't have any photos to show from this past week because I have been down with the flu, but I will update with some that are waiting on my camera just as soon as I get a chance.

In the mean time, here's a photo of a dress I refashioned for my daughter last spring.  It is one of my favorite refashions.  When I took this photo I hadn't yet trimmed off some of the threads, so my apologies for that.  Hopefully you can get the idea from this photo though. 

Blessings!