It seems that life just doesn't slow down ever!! We worked in the garden last night as a family so maybe we will have some fresh veggies and fruit this year, if the wild bunnies don't eat it first. Of course there is always the idea of sitting outside and protecting the garden while gathering meat for a rabbit stew! My 11 yo daughter would not be happy!

I still haven't made my marshmallows, but I intend to soon. Every time I think I am going to get it done something else pops up. (Yeah I probably spend too much time on the computer!) Now I am selling Tupperware (what was I thinking?), checkout the Tupperware Catalog link in the side bar. One of these days I will learn how to make buttons. If you see anything that you want let me know and I will get it ordered.

I love Tupperware! Such cool products that are useable! If you are thinking about going green, Tupperware is a great way to do it! All you need is the lunch kit (take your choice of styles and colors) and you are already there. Nomore paper bags or plastic sandwhich bags and you have to fill it with healthy foods so there you go healthier eating and you are saving the planet!!

Marshmallows

Homemade Marshmallows

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2007

Prep Time:

35 min

Inactive Prep Time:

4 hr 0 min

Cook Time:

10 min

Level:

Intermediate

Serves:

approximately 9 dozen marshmallows or 1 1/2 pounds miniature

Ingredients

• 3 packages unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup ice cold water, divided
• 12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Nonstick spray

Directions

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.

For regular marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

For miniature marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Line 4 half sheet pans with parchment paper, spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with the confectioners' sugar mixture.

Scoop the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round piping tip. Pipe the mixture onto the prepared sheet pans lengthwise, leaving about 1-inch between each strip. Sprinkle the tops with enough of the remaining cornstarch and sugar mixture to lightly cover. Let the strips set for 4 hours or up to overnight.

Cut into 1/2 inch pieces using a pizza wheel or scissors dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining sugar mixture and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Homemade Marshmallows

Ok so I said that my first project for this blog was going to be homemade marshmallows so here is a recipe that I found on the food network website

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html

I am going to see if I have everything in my pantry to make them right now!!

Ok so my younger sister talked me into starting this blog, then I watched Julie and Julia last night and got all motivated about the idea. First I need to tell you to go look at my sister's blog http://www.savvystephie.com/. She has some awesome saving tips and coupons for you there. My blog will be about making things yourself, hopefuly we won't overlap our ideas and give twice the fun!

I love making things--I always have. My goal for this blog is to try out a few new things and let you know how they turn out and tell you about some of the old tried and true things I like to make for my family. I really want to learn how to make marshmallows from scratch. I think that will be my first project.

Some other things that you can expect to see here are a recipe for english muffins, soap recipes, lotion and creams, ointments, laundry detergent, yogurt, cheese and lots more from my craft closet. Speaking of my craft closet I should take a picture of it and let you see the chaos that it is--I really need to get it organized!! Hey that would be another good project for this blog!

Let me know if you want me to try something new for you and I will see what I can do. Oh yeah and if you talk to my sister tell her that a t-shirt quilt will be one post that I will put here eventually!