February 2009

Remilling Handmade Soap

Lye Soaping

When I first became interested in soapmaking, I checked out several books on the subject from the library. One of them was full of recipes for handmilled soap, aka remilled soap. You chose a base recipe, made the soap, shredded it, melted it, and added fragrances and other additives such as french clay, dried herbs [...]

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Danish Coffee Cake Valentine

Breads

Family Valentine’s Day brunch fare. Cranberry-Almond Danish Coffee Cake 1/3 cup milk2 T. sugar1/2 tsp. salt1/4 cup butter1 pkg. dry active yeast1/4 cup warm water3 cups all-purpose flour2 eggs1 tsp. almond extract1 tsp. grated orange peel3 T. softened butter Filling:1/4 cup sugar1/4 cup brown sugar1 tsp. cinnamon1/3 cup dried cranberries1/3 cup sliced almonds Glaze:3/4 cup [...]

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Build A Seedling Tray

DIY

I looked at this picture in Entertaining, Martha Stewart’s first book, for years, and all I saw was cookies. Delicious chocolate chip cookies. And then, one day, when I was ready, I saw IT: the antique wooden thing the cookies were in. I don’t know what it’s called, and I don’t know what it was [...]

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Unnamed Dishcloth

Crafts

I always reach for the smallest cloths in the drawer first. This one fits the bill and it’s scrubby, too. Knits up super fast, and there is a very simple crochet border to look forward to once you’re done knitting that even a knitter like me can do. I can’t think of a name for [...]

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Best Green Gadget…EVER

Green Up

Okay, it’s not often that frugal, green, convenient, and promotes household peace come together. See that little stick? I don’t even know what it’s called. I just know it’s inexpensive, I got it at Depot, and when you push on it you get water which immediately stops when you remove the pressure. Which is good [...]

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