Cherry Pie In A Jar

Warm Cherry Pie on an Autumn Day

Yesterday I tried making cherry pies in mason jars and they came out great!

This makes 3 good size servings or 6 smaller servings if you eat half warm in the jar and the other half later at room temp.

What you'll need:

375 degree oven.
3 Ball Mason Jars - 3" mouths and standing 3-1/2" tall.
1 can of cherry pie filling.
1 box (2 total) already prepared/rolled pie dough.

I used the smallest mason jars which I found in the canning section of Walmart.  They came 4 to a box, but I only needed 3 of them.  Only use WIDE, short jars that can stand the heat of an oven. You'll understand why only wide mouth, short jars when you try putting the dough inside. ;o)

I started first by spraying the inside of the jars with canola oil.  I then cut 3 squares of dough to start lining the inside of the jars.  After placing the first piece in and pushing it firmly against the bottom and sides (which is kind of a challenge, but it can be done) I proceeded to just cut different sizes of dough as needed and pressed them inside against the glass while mashing together seams well until I almost came to the top of each jar.  Fill each jar with pie filling to just below the dough line.

Then, using the canning jar inside lid as a guide, placed right on top of the dough, I cut out 3 circles with a knife.  Each topped a pie.  These were easier to place inside if done carefully.  Then, I folded over the excess dough above each circle of dough and mashed it down into the top edge of the pies.  Vent the tops using a knife or use a small cookie cutter for a shape (like a small heart).  If using a cookie cutter, cut in the shape BEFORE placing the circle of dough inside the jar.

Place the jars on a small pizza pan or cookie sheet that was preheated inside of a 375 degree oven (I used a counter top oven - not a toaster oven) for 45 min. or so until crust inside and out is browned.  What's great about baking in clear glass is that you can actually see if something is browned.  Enjoy some warm pie after cooling for 30-40 min.  Hubby and I ate ours right out of the jar.

Gumball Daisies

No story behind this bouquet - I bought them for myself on a whim while grocery shopping.  I just had to photograph them to remember.  They are so beautiful in my kitchen.  I know the colors where "man made", but beautiful just the same.  I applied the oil painting setting after photographing them in a low light.  I named them "Gumball Daisies".

New Wheels

I finally have wheels to drive of my own again...2005 Ford Focus ZX4 Sedan in a beautiful, metallic, Light Tundra.

Wheels=Freedom

This weekend I need to get Chico's car seat put in it and give him a ride. He's been concerned about this strange car in our driveway.  :o)

Chico is still with us...

Chico is still with us in spite of his enlarged heart diagnosed by our new vet last fall. He didn't seem to think he had long to live, but here we are 8 months later.

He is still enjoying life taking 2 different kinds of pills several times a day. He is on a strict, daily pill schedule. Yes, the pills are keeping him with me and are expensive, but he's truly been a delight to have around and to see him enjoying life still.

The vet has been surprised by his progress. I say - That's what love can do...

I think I got the YouTube video uploaded correctly - my first one. This is mostly for me as I know he won't be around forever although right now it feels like it since I've been blessed with these extra months with him.

I really don't know how I'll live without him. He truly has been my therapy dog.

We had a picnic inside the front porch today as rain was coming. He got really excited when asked to attend it. :o)

Chico relaxing after our picnic...

New Spring Look

I decided it was time to give my blog a nice, fresh, Spring look with singing blue birds and roses.

Retro Kitchen

These are the two matching kitchen decorations that I mentioned in THIS post.  I have yet to find a suitable, cute place to hang them in my kitchen.  I really like their Retro look.

Homemade Laundry Soap - What "they" don't tell you...

UPDATE: March 3, 2015

I must be really sensitive to this homemade laundry detergent 'cause I used it tonight and I can feel it in my nose and the back of my throat, plus I'm getting a headache.  Ugh...I did like the results though for my sheets, white socks, and bath towels.  It really seemed to get them clean esp. the white socks. I used 2 T in my brand new, top loading washer (A bit hard to get used to the new computer ones) at extra load, but extra load in this washer equals large in my old large capacity Maytag.  I did also dissolve the powder in a bit of water before adding which I may not have had to do.  I don't, however, think I'll use this homemade soap for our good clothes for fear of fading.  Or, maybe I just need to get the measurement down for lightly soiled clothes - a whole lot less soap added.  I think I might look for a more "natural" homemade formula since I'm so sensitive to this one.  If anyone has a good one, please leave it in the comment section for me.

What "they" don't tell you about making powdered laundry detergent.

If you are sensitive to smells like I am, don't get the pink Zote bar or be prepared for a headache.  It's not exactly warm here in the Midwest right now, but I had to go outside for a bit to just stand and clear my head.

I understand there is a white Zote bar ? out there with no scent ? or you might want to use one of the other bars that some laundry soap makers use. I read one used Irish Spring.  Now that would smell really good, but it's not a laundry soap like Zote is.  Quite a few use Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap. Just note that all the bars are different sizes.

I used the pink Zote 'cause I heard it smelled good.  That is up for debate.  To me the smell is really strong and not pleasant.  And, mixed with all the other ingredients it only smelled like something you don't want to inhale.  But, it sure is pretty.

Since the pink Zote bar was somewhat soft and most of all to save time, I used my large B&D food processor's shredding blade and did it in batches.  I cut the bar in half longways, cut each half in half, and then again each piece in half to easily fit it into the chute to use the chute pusher.  Don't push the soap, let the machine do the work.  The chute pusher is for safety.

I tried mixing it then with all the powder additives and I wasn't happy with the consistency so I coated the Zote shavings or mixed it all up as good as I could and ran it in batches again in the food processor using the regular metal blade.  Now, it looks more like I want it to look and this way the pink Zote is more evenly distributed with the other products in my opinion.

At first I thought mine was pinker than the finished product of others, but maybe not.  Anyway, you would want it more pink than white since the Zote is a laundry soap and the other additives are boosters.  Some don't use baking soda, but I did since I read it was good to use if you have very hard water which we do.

I made 1/2 of a recipe I found on-line that I decided to use.  I just hope this stuff works for me...

ECONOMICAL POWDER LAUNDRY DETERGENT WITH EXTRA STAIN REMOVER

1 Pink Zote bar - 14.1 oz
2 cups of Borox
2 cups of Washing Soda
2 cups of Baking Soda
1 cup of Oxy-Clean or a similar product

You can save to your computer and print out my hang tag if you like...

This filled about 1/2 of the glass barrel jar with a metal lid I found it at Walmart.  Actually, I found all the ingredients at Walmart.  In fact, the Walmart I went to stocked all the products in a line on the shelf.  :o)

For whimsy I'm going to use as my measuring spoon one of my ceramic Avon measuring spoons (Tablespoon).  And, I decided to make a tag to go around the jar to both decorate it and for me to remember how much I used to make it as this will last me a LONG time with only 2 people in the house.

1 Tablespoon per load and 1-1/2 to 2 Tablespoons for an extra large or heavily soiled load.

Store in an air tight container.

Back To The 60s - Kitchen Deco

Is this not the most adorable vintage wall clock?  It's from the 60s - Back when I was in grade school! It is in the most amazing condition.

I found it at This Etsy Shop.  Such a nice lady with a shop full of treasures. I'll have another vintage kitchen purchase from her shop to post about soon.

It's again in the forecast so just...Soon it'll be Spring!

Eyeglasses Case Made From A Necktie - Chico Update - Go Hawkeyes

Tonight I made hubby's Valentine's Day gift.

I made him an eyeglasses case out of one of his neckties he no longer wears. He used to have to wear a tie to work, but hasn't had to for years so I imagine he even forgot he has this one.  I had to sew it all by hand so it was kinda time consuming, but I'm happy with the way it came out.  I like the little pocket I made for a cleaning cloth.  If you want to make one too, just Google necktie eyeglasses case.

Last year I made Chico a fleece Hawkeyes hoodie for Christmas that he never did wear so I put it on him when he went to his latest vet visit a week or so ago.  To our surprise, our new vet said he has gotten worse and put him on pill #2.  This one is for his heart.  The other one is a water pill.  He now takes 2 pills twice a day.  The vet said it would give me/us a few more months with him by slowing down the progression of his heart failure.  It's so hard knowing he's not going to live for much longer.  I just don't want him to suffer so when the time is right we will have him put to sleep.

Christmas Zigsaw Puzzle

Hubby helped me put together a small, 100 piece Christmas puzzle tonight, Christmas Eve.  It will sparkle in the daylight the box says since it's infused with some glitter...  As a kid I put many a puzzle together on a rainy day...some were put together numerous times as the years went on...

Sharing my Easy 2014 Christmas Dinner Recipes

Christmas Dinner I just finished preparing - My notes are mainly just for me next year...

It's been snowing lightly for several hours now---- :o)  Perfect...

Holiday Sweet and Sour Cranberry Crock Pot Chicken

6 thawed, boneless and skinless chicken breasts

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

3/4 cup chili sauce (In a bottle)

2 T apple cider vinegar

2 T brown sugar

1 pkg. onion soup mix

Mix well everything except chicken in a medium bowl.

Add a layer of chicken and top with some sauce and continue to layer chicken and sauce and top with remaining sauce.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. - Can serve over rice.

Cornbread Casserole - Base Recipe by Paula Deen

Used my almost 9 x 13- inch Italian scene casserole dish

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn

1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)

1 cup sour cream

1/2 stick butter, melted

2 T sugar (I also added)

1 to 1 -1/2 cups shredded Cheddar - Added in the last 10 min. of baking

Smoked Paprikia

Directions -

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar cheese and smoked paprika

. 

Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned a bit. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.

Stove Top Dressing - 2 boxes chicken flavor prepared as on box.

Then add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and stir. Bake in round, amber casserole dish for about 1/2 hour to 45 min. until browned on top.

Green Bean Casserole

Mix well - 

1 can mushroom soup

2 cans drained cut green beans

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. soy sauce

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

3/4 cup French fried onions to stir in and 1/2 cup or so for the top.

Put mixture in 8 x 8 square glass casserole dish.  Bake in 350 degree oven for about 40 min. or until hot and bubbling.  Add the remaining French fried onions and bake for about 5 min. longer or until onions are browned.

Note - This dish and the stuffing and the cornbread casserole can ALL be baked at the same time.

Then - Bake the Sweet Potato Casserole

Kitchen-Klatter Carmel Sweet Potato Casserole

6 to 7 medium sweet potatoes (3# ?) Boiled in Dutch Oven filled with hot tap water  whole with skins on until JUST tender.  Cool and peel and cut into large chunks and add to LARGE clear green casserole dish. OR use 2 - 15 oz. cans of  drained sweet potatoes.  Use 1 cup of the drained liquid instead of hot water.

Boil together -

1 cup hot water, 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar, 2 T butter, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp. of powdered cloves.  (OR 1/2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice instead)

Pour over the sweet potatoes in dish and bake in 350 degree oven for about 30 min.or until bubbly.  Don't over bake or will be mushy.  Cool a bit and top with small marshmallows.

Add rolls, gravy, pumpkin spice tea and maybe whipped mashed potatoes to menu.  Pumpkin pie or Pumpkin Pudding in crock pot for dessert/Cool Whip.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays...

Christmas Shopping and Holiday Treats

I have my Christmas shopping all done.  Not that I have a lot of people to buy for, but still - it's all done and some are wrapped.  How about you?

by: kittyred

I made some fudge tonight in my crock pot - an interesting concept isn't it?  It didn't seem to turn out too bad.  It's in the fridge overnight before sampling.

Crock Pot Fudge

The Ingredients
serves 10-20 

3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon salted butter
cooking spray to spray down the crock
parchment paper or non-stick foil to line a 9 x 9 baking pan

The Directions

Use a 4-quart slow cooker. If you only have a 6-quart, that's okay, but it will melt faster, so keep an eye on your chocolate.
Spray the crock well with cooking spray (if you are using a Ninja, I'd still spray it down). 
Dump everything into the pot. Cover, and cook on high for about 1 hour, or on low for about 2 hours. Stir every 30 minutes. Once the chocolate has lost it's form and can be stirred into a liquid state, spread it out into a lined 9 x 9 baking pan.
Chill in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 4 hours) before cutting into bite-sized squares.

That and making some sugar cookies is about it for me for holiday treat making this year.  Finding out you have diabetes II is no fun at all....It has pretty much taken the fun out of holiday baking and candy making for me.

Stress Induced Creativity

Here's what I've been up to lately.  I made a bracelet watch.  It didn't come out quite like I wanted, but I like it.

by: kittyred

When I get really stressed I just naturally become or want to become creative - a mini getaway if you will.  I thought it would be fun to buy a watch face at Michaels and make a bracelet watch using some of my huge stash of jewelry findings and whatnots.

I bought the Pandora inspired beads also at Michaels at a reduced price ($2.50 a card).

My bracelet watch is everything that I love and/or believe in - the color pink, lace, ribbon, pink roses, candy swirls, butterflies and an elephant angel signifying their senseless slaughter for their tusk.

Chico Is Still Doing Well...

Is he a cutie or what?...

Happy Thanksgiving

This could be Chico's last Thanksgiving.  We recently found out after taking him to a NEW vet that he has an enlarged heart...So far he's doing really well, but I guess he could start going downhill at anytime.  When the time comes he will be the hardest pet I've ever lost.  From day one he's been my baby...always with me 24/7.  I'm trying to just enjoy the now and not dwell on what will be...So, this Thanksgiving I'm SO thankful he's still here with me and doing well...I dressed him all up today in his orange turkey sweater to see the groomer for a nail trim. He was responsible for a few smiles today...

Grandson's Visit

This last week one of my grandsons came to visit for 5 days and one of those days we took him to the 2014 National Hot Air Balloon Classic in Indianola, IA.

A YouTube video of last year's balloon classic...

Hide And Seek Cat - Twilight

A cat's way of playing Hide And Seek...

Nice To Be Honored...

My entered watercolor made the group page for the month of May...

For the month of May...- Group theme - Paint glass using any technique you like...Yahoo Group - Watercolor Painting Techniques. I kinda won by default, but it's still an honor.