Graham Cracker Shacks

Okay, there is one craft that I have a handle on... some may call them gingerbread houses, but I call them graham cracker shacks.  This is my third year making them and I'll show you how.

Melt sugar on low.

The melted sugar is your "glue" for putting the graham crackers together.  Don't worry about the lumps - just work around them.  If the sugar gets too thin, turn the heat off.  When the sugar gets to thick, turn the heat back on.

"Glue" 3 sets of 2 graham cracker halves together for each shack.  I lean them against something to get the 90 degree angle... this doesn't always work, and thus, shack versus house.

Once the sets have dried, "glue" two sets together for the sides.

Add the 3rd set for the roof.  To "glue", I just dip the crackers in the melted sugar.  WARNING:  The sugar is very hot, so do not let children do this part of the process.

 This year I made 20.  Enough for Blossom #4's second grade class to decorate, plus the school's first grade class as well.  I always have extras because it never fails that one of the kids will push too hard and crack their shack, or one gets bumped off the table.

I cover foam meat trays with aluminum foil to hold the shack.

 

Here's the frosting (mortar) recipe for decorating:

4 teaspoons meringue powder

4 tablespoons water

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Add water if too thick.

 

I made 4 times this much for 20 shacks.

 

Remember this for next year and have fun!

Karin

 

 

Dear God,

Thank you, God, for making me the perfect mother for my children.  It puts me at peace knowing that you designed me for my children and that the way I mother, naturally, is the mother you want me to be.

Sometimes I wish I were like other mothers that do fun crafts with their children and have meaningful activity bags for when they're on the go.   But, thankfully, you gave me children that are happy with paper and pencils, and pack of gum for on the go!  

Thank you, Lord.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Karin

 

A Birthday Celebration!

Blossom #2 turned 14!

We decorated his bedroom door.

He had a basketball game after school.

Grandpa and Grandma came to the game.

We drove home in a little snow storm and had Caseys pizza.

Blossom #2 did a scavenger hunt for 14 dollars.

We had presents and balloons.

Surprised him with a new bike!

And, had lemon cake for dessert.

I hope you have many celebrations!

Karin

Coming Clean About Santa!

Yesterday Blossom #4 wanted me to swear on the bible and stick a needle in my eye promise that I wasn't Santa.  What's a mom to do?!?  So, I did it, I told her the truth... that mom and dad give her the gifts from Santa.  I think that she was ready for the truth and, I have to say, that I kind of did it for selfish reasons... now I don't need to worry about her finding Santa wrapping paper in the garbage or how I label the gifts because she might recognize my handwriting, and, now, we get credit for all the fun stuff from Santa.  Whew - it's kind of a relief.  I kind of feel bad though, because after I told her the truth, she said she wished she didn't know.  So, I said, let's not tell dad that you know so it's kind of a trick on him now and she liked that idea!  

I read this yesterday:

(Sad to say I can't remember where I read it and it was only yesterday!)

First you believe in Santa.

Then you don't believe in Santa.

Next you become Santa.

Finally you look like Santa.

Have a very merry day!

Karin

French Peasant Bread

When I was a senior in college I traveled to Europe with my sister and a friend.  We were there for 5 weeks and visited as many countries as possible.  Most of the nights we stayed at youth hostels which served a breakfast of bread, butter, jam and hot cocoa.  This bread reminds me of the bread at the youth hostels - a good memory!

Mix 2 tablespoons yeast and 2 tablespoons sugar with 3 cups warm water. 

Let set for 5 minutes.

Sift in 4 cups white bread flour, 2 cups whole wheat flour, and 1 tablespoon sea salt - one cup at a time, mixing as you add.

This is what my dough mixer attachments look like.

This is what it will look like after all of the dry ingredients have been added.

Let rise for 10 minutes and then knead every 10 minutes for 1 hour.  This is the part that makes this bread a little more work.

The recipe says to knead with a wooden spoon, but I don't have one so I use a metal spoon or my hand.

After you are done kneading, pour the dough on a floured surface.

I knead the dough a little more so it's a little drier.

Cut the batch in 2.

This is hard to describe, but tuck the top under - as pictured on the left sample above.

Place on a baking sheet.  Cut 1/4 inch slits.

Bake at 400 degrees for 18 - 24 minutes.  For some reason, I need to bake it longer than 24 minutes to get the middle baked through.  This bread freezes well.  Enjoy! 

Recipe compliments of:

http://www.dreamywhites.com/

Have a fabulous day!

Karin

Be The Leading Lady Of Your Own Life!

I watch this movie every Christmas season.  I'm not sure why I like it so much, but it gets to me.  I think it may be that Iris' relationship with Jasper reminds me of a relationship I had with a guy from college.  And, when I got the GUMPTION to tell him not to call me anymore.  Or, it could be Iris' cozy English cottage that Amanda stays in while she's in England.  I'd love to live in a house like that.  One of my favorite lines from the movie is be the leading lady of your own life - I think I'm going to start living like that!   Whatever it is about this movie, I like it... I just wish it were a little bit more nice than naughty because I'd love for Blossom #1 to be able to watch it.

Have a great day!

Karin