A Simple Tip ~ For Cakes

Do you still have problems with your cakes sticking to the bottom of your pans? Well, here is a simple tip ~ put your pans on a damp towel to cool when you take them out of the oven. Try for yourself the next time you bake a cake ~ it really works.

p.s.
(I also just recently read a comment on another blog that if you leave your bread to cool completely in the pan it will stay soft longer. I tried this with my bread yesterday and placed my pans on a wet towel, because I've seen them stick when left in the pan too long. They came out fine with the exception of one small area that I think was more on the bottom side of the pan not just on the bottom. Maybe I missed a spot when oiling the pan.)

Simple Tip ~ For the Microwave

Although, I don't cook much in the microwave, we do often heat things up. Remembering to place a napkin or paper towel over anything that will splatter is of course the easiest thing, but if you are like me, sometimes you forget! What then. Well, my mom gave me this tip some time ago. If you have let something splatter in your microwave and did not clean it up while it was still wet, fill a cup or bowl with water and microwave until the water is boiling. The steam that is produced from the boiling water will loosen the "dried on stuff" and you can more easily wipe it out. I like it when the solution avoids the use of chemical cleaners.

(If you really have a mess, I would use a bowl of water not a cup.)

 

Go Fly a Kite!

It's that time of year again. Pull out the kites, buy new string, fix up the old one or buy a new one.

If your up for it, you can help your children or grandchildren make one. You can find information on kites and instructions on how to make a simple kite here.  Have fun!

Control for That Musty Odor in HE Front Loader

A few years ago we purchased a front loader washing machine.  There are several things I like about the machine, but there is one thing I do not like that surpasses all the good ~ the musty odor!  (I do understand that not all of the HE machines have this problem.)  The musty odor has been quite a disappointment.  I have to leave the door to the machine open when not in use or the odor just gets worse.  Certainly this is another negative considering I have to walk past the washing machine to get to the dryer.  It's like having a one way revolving door in the laundry.

I know they now have a product to clean your machine that helps with the odor.  I have not purchased any of it because it seems like a lot of expense just to clean the washing machine.  Having said all of that, I think I have found a solution for the odor.  I made up some of the homemade washing detergent from Farming On Faith that works fine for our laundry AND seems to keep the musty odor at bay.  The first time I used this "recipe" I made up the liquid and filled the containers I had saved up.  The last time I made laundry detergent I decided to go the "Powdered Laundry Detergent" route.  Both work fine.  They are also very inexpensive to make ~ another plus.  The powered method does involve a lot less time and less need for storage than the liquid detergent.  I was able to use a small plastic container and add an old scoop for measuring.

I still use purchased laundry detergent on occasion, but I try to alternate when I do to keep the odor under control.  I am so glad to get rid of the musty odor in our clothes.  Unfortunately, I have not found a solution for the door.  It still has to remain open, even with the use of the homemade detergents.  If anyone has a solution for this, I would love to hear it.

It's time to make some more.

Powered Washing Detergent

1 bar Fels Naptha (grated ~ this really doesn't take much time)

2 cups Washing Soda

2 cups of Borax  

  

Put in container with lid on and shake to mix together.  Use one heaping tablespoon for HE machines and 1/4 cup for top loaders.  I haven't tried the additional squirt of Dawn dish soap ~ you might want to ~ see "Powered Laundry Detergent" link above.  If you prefer liquid detergent check the Farming On Faith link above.

Bookmarks Anyone?

Simple, simple, simple. These bookmarks can actually be printed in color, but when your out of colored ink, like we are, black ink works just as well. They are easy to make and fit neatly on the corner of your books. No turning the pages down! You wouldn't do that anyway, would you? You can find the information to make your own here.

Have You Tried This ~ Microwave Popcorn?

"My brother and sister-in-law taught me a trick the other day. Maybe it is old news to some but it was new to me so I thought I'd share. For popcorn lovers, you can easily use paper lunch sacks to make your own microwave popcorn. Just put enough kernels in to make a single layer at the bottom of the bag and then roll the bag closed all the way to the bottom.  Then microwave.  This is a cheap alternative to microwave popcorn and you can get the seasoning just right, not too salty, not too bland.  I hope this trick is useful for others." (Posted with permission.) 

A young mother in our homeschool group passed this along to us recently.  Maybe you have tried this but I had not. I decided to give it a try and it worked great.  As I watched it pop I thought it was going to pop out of the bag before it stopped popping, but it didn't. So easy!