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WILTED FRUIT PASTRY

Featured by GuinepigsmomKhan, posted in food, Uncategorized

I don’t know about you, but having freshly cut or purchased cut fruit start to wilt and soften irks me. I spend money on great hand picked fruit only to have the leftovers end up not being touched once open. I really don’t like wasting money. It wasn’t bad or anything, just Wilted.

Problem solved! I happen to have in my freezer some puff pastry. You definitely can make your own, but I happen to have bought some frozen puff pastry over the New Year.

So to start, this really isn’t a typical recipe, more of a guide. I had leftover cut and cleaned strawberries, cantaloupe and pineapple in storage containers for my family to snack on. Wilted several days later, I decided to create a filling with it. You will have to defrost the pastry as it is kept frozen. If using your own, roll out in a rectangle.

So, I started with mixing the cantaloupe and strawberries in a saucepan on medium heat and the pineapple on its own in another saucepan on medium heat. I then added about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar to each (I had about 2 cups of strawberry cantaloupe mix for 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup pineapple with 1/4 cup of sugar), and let is cook down until it was very thick almost paste like consistency. Time varies here depending on fruit. I then rolled out my pastry into a rectangle and cut horizontally in the middle, I eyeballed it. I then cut individual rectangles about 2×3 inches in size roughly and filled them with the mixture. I folded over all four edges after filling. Then, Bake at 400 until puffed and lightly brown. I’m sure you can use other kinds of fruit as well. This is a great way to not waste food and save time and money.

String saving….using yarn in a different way to make your life colorful…and helpful.

Featured by GuinepigsmomKhan, posted in weddings, decorations, gifts

So you might think that using yarn is counter intuitive to saving, but it’s not, really! I think about all the things you can do with yarn it’s amazing. I cannot think of a better activity on a rainy dreary day or cold evening after dinner when the winds are howling. But what about summer? Well, yarn is great for holding up those heavy vegetable plants by tying them to their cages or trellis. How beautiful will that be in the wind? Or leaving bits out for colorful birds’ nests for this winter or for hanging a bird feeding station on a tree?

My favorite to get me in the mood for Fall is pumpkin or leaf patterns. Updating old pillows with tassels made of yarn saves money by using what you have and incorporating it into your new decor! Wrap a frame, package or mark a straight line with chalk. For your auto, wrap around the visor for storing openers and sunglasses. As a tag on your suitcase it’s invaluable or mark your keys.

So many ways to use yarn to save your items. Thank you yarn for being so useful! Reduce, reuse, recycle.

If these projects sound great to you, and maybe you need some color and softness in your life, you can get some great yarn at garage sales, donations, and Goodwill.

Why you shouldn’t get a Flat Screen TV and how you can save $$

Featured by GuinepigsmomKhan, posted in save on audio, video

My site and blog discusses how to save money. One of the biggest ways is not buying a flat screen tv and here is why:

  1. They are pricey, even on sale!
  2. They are hard to move, especially if they are large.
  3. No damage on the walls from tv holders when renting, means get your deposit back!
  4. It cannot be mobile.
  5. Too many cables everywhere.
  6. Connecting to a phone, pad or computer is just a hassle, especially older models.
  7. If your using your tv just to game, present your business or stream, there is a better way!
  8. If you travel for work, turn any room into a conference room.
  9. PLUS did I mention it’s great for sharing videos during big life events like weddings, birthdays and holidays!

I own a tiny mobile projector that lets me be free of large objects(TVs) on my walls. I can go anywhere and watch, present or game anytime. Moving? No problem, no big bulky screens to move. So for the small price I paid for my mini projector, I saved myself thousands of dollars, can adjust my viewing from large to small, have my own high quality included speakers ring out great sound and can move it to any room. I absolutely love it and am dollar wise for it!

Creamy Dreamy Strawberry Yogurt Breakfast

Featured by GuinepigsmomKhan, posted in food

I don’t know about you, but sometimes deciding on what to eat for breakfast is time consuming. Let’s face it, breakfast recipes are mostly breads. As you can see with the bread cookbook behind, this breakfast is anything but! And…it is pocketbook friendly.

A simple creamy delight of fresh strawberries, homemade strawberry preserves, homemade pasty cream and on sale plain yogurt and a sprinkle of mini rose petals breaks that bread trend. If you wanted to purchase the jam and pastry cream along with yogurt and strawberries then I understand as time be gets us all. I like making my own and having it on hand. You can find a great lemon curd recipe on my Breakfast Pinterest board which is far superior than the store bought stuff. It lasts in the refrigerator for a long time and is great on ice cream! Strawberry jam is also there.

Creamy Dreamy Strawberry Yogurt Breakfast

  • 4oz Cream cheese, , softened
  • ¼ c Confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 1 Lemon zest, (whole lemon)
  • 4 oz Lemon curd
  • Yogurt, plain Greek
  • 4 large Strawberries, hulled and washed (or more)
  • Strawberry preserves, jam or jelly, store bought or homemade

With a mixer or whisk mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest and lemon curd in a bowl until creamy. Clean, hull and slice fresh strawberries. Open Greek yogurt add 4 tablespoons full to a serving bowl. Add lemon curd infused pastry cream. Top with fresh strawberries And strawberry jam and edible flower petals. I had miniature rose petals on hand.

The Year of Weddings!

Featured by GuinepigsmomKhan, posted in weddings, decorations, gifts

This year has some joyous weddings coming up. What’s really going on in it’s basic form for those not making the union themselves is helping the intended couple culminate a scene of lasting fun and remembrance. I find the ultimate goal as a participant is to give the couple some help setting up home, heart, and health.

This past weekend was my beautiful niece Sarah’s shower. I was only happy to do an avid search for a great cast iron enamel stew pot. I use these heavy cookers for stews, soups, etc. it’s really a great investment piece and adding a family recipe warms body and soul during cold seasons. Decorating the gift was all to easy with a Dollar Store tissue paper flower. Instructions can be found on my board “nieces weddings” or YouTube search. Here is mine. Perfect, no, but fun and creative and cheap, yes! Best part, 5 minutes to learn and make!

When music evokes remembrance and emotions.

by GuinepigsmomKhan, posted in prompts to live by

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

People are working and dealing with more struggles in their daily lives. When listening to a familiar song, it can evoke joyful memories of fun times, loved ones, and places we travel along the way. It can be a way to truly time travel with music guiding your journey.

My favorite listening places for these journeys depends on where I am. Sometimes listening to my own music either on devices or my mobile phone or on apps such as Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music or a subscription service. Any way you listen can transport you anywhere. Joyful times spent with family and the music we dance, or just chill out to always brings the warmth of being loved and a joyful tear. …..Miss you mom.

Modern time travel.