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Showing posts from December, 2010

ROCK candy - a scientific kids favorite.

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Not sure you have to have a scientific kid to love these - just a kid who loves sugar .  (as in ALL children!) Rock candy is very fun and pretty but I have to warn you this project may take a day or two to fully crystallize.  Actually I should have titled this ROCK candy - A Character Builder.  :-) Nevertheless this the THIRD time my kids have requested to make these so I guess the wait wasn't a detriment.  Doing this during a school break is a great time to do it so the kids can look at the progress throughout the day. Ingredients: 2 c water 4 c sugar (some people have found better luck using more sugar - up to 6 cups) 1 tsp flavoring extract   Food coloring Glass jar Skewers   Preparation: 1.) Prepare your materials: wash glass jar with hot water to clean it.  I used a shish ka bob skewer and broke it in half - but you can always order real lollipop sticks online. 2.) Wet y...

Power of Spray Paint part 2 - Guest Post

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Blog land can be so much fun.  I just met a fabulous lady Kelsey from My Kids Eat Kale who seems to have the same spray paint lamp fetish as I do!  I couldn't resist asking her if I could feature her post as a Spray Paint Part 2 series!  Enjoy. Took some of this Applied it to this ($2.00 at the Salvation Army) To get this To go with this (a $7 clearance at Target) Helpful tip: tape up everything (like the entire cord) that you don't want sprayed.  Isn't that GORGEOUS!!  Awesome job Kelsey!  Now I need the weather to warm up so I can start spray painting again.  :-) Keep those Creative Juices flowing!

GINGERBREAD playdough!

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 Just the thought of this makes me happy.  Memories of playing with play dough and the smell of Christmas all wrapped into one! (seriously - the play dough smells so good and spicy!!)  Mix dry ingredients.   Next mix water and oil together than add to dry ingredients.  Put in sauce pan cook on medium 2-3 minutes. You can add a few drops of red and green food coloring in this if you want it to be an extra dark brown color. Stir constantly till dough pulls away from sides.   Today was messy hair day/princess dress up for my daughter! Take out and knead - sprinkle cinnamon on the table to make it easier and get the right constancy.   Store in closed container.         *      Be sure and get your cinnamon cheap - I go to the dollar store.         *      I split up the piles and added red glitter to on...

The BEST Avocado Black Bean Brownies - Healthy, Sugar and Gluten Free

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Looking for a  dense, fudgy, slightly chewy, decadent brownie that will cover the palate of your mouth with a smooth, rich, chocolaty taste that wont put on the pounds?    THESE ARE THE BROWNIES TO MAKE. :-) Still not convinced?  Man, you guys are difficult!  Tell me that doesn't look like a ray of heavenly light falling upon that brownie. Alright, you guys are on your own.  I'll give you the recipe and you can choose to experience this utopia for yourself or not. (-: Black Bean and Avocado Brownies   (yes, as an extra they happen to be sugar, and gluten free) 4 oz unsweetened chocolate (like Bakers brand) 1/2 c butter 1/4 c coconut oil 1 c almonds 2 c cooked black beans 1/2 large or 1 small avocado 1 Tbsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp coarse sea salt 3/4 c agave nectar 1/2 c warm water* 1 Tbsp chia seeds* 1 Tbsp NuStevia powdered stevia* 1/4 c instant esp...

Cinnamon Elmers Glue Ornaments

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EASY glue cinnamon and applesauce ornament keepsakes! I believe I have a re-occurring theme on my blog….easy, simple and fast. At least when it comes to recipes/crafts. This is one of my all time favorites. The smell of cinnamon and spices just add so much to the holiday spirit.  First, get ready for your house to smell deliciously like Christmas.  Second, turn on the Christmas music. Ok now you are ready (-: Ingredients:   (not for eating!)      *  1 1/2 cups (8oz) ground cinnamon (can add dash of nutmeg/cloves –whatever you want!)      *  1 cup applesauce (store bought works best)      *   1/3 cup white school glue (Elmer's or other brand) Simply mix these 3 ingredients together.  (my kids went crazy with wanting to "mix" it with their hands!) After it's mixed plop it down onto wax paper (or the cou...

ICE candle holder - free and GORGEOUS!

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I guess living in a freezing cold area of the country has it's benefits.  Things like these ICE CANDLES  stay frozen!  On Thanksgiving my aunt had these stacked along the entry to her house. The glowing, sparkly wet candles looked so amazing.  She used large gallon containers but said you could even make giant ones out of a 5 gallon buckets (wouldn't that look amazing!)  My daughter and I started with a set of little ones.  We wanted to make them all different heights so we just filled up the cups to different levels.  Next we put them outside to freeze.  It took our water glasses overnight to get to the correct freezing point.  You don't want them 100%  frozen  - just about 75% solid.  Tip upside down and run some warm water around the cup or bucket and out comes your amazing ice candle holder and the extra water which makes up the space for your candle!  Place th...