Homemade Treats For The Dog In Your Life...

Your dog will follow you around just begging for more of these great homemade treats. Why spend money on store bought dog biscuits when you can fill a jar with these for less money? An added bonus? You'll know exactly what's in them and how fresh they are!

Ingredients:
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups old fashioned or quick oatmeal (don't use instant)
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup hot water
1 beef bouillon cube
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon all spice
1/4 cup uncooked rice

Put the bouillon cubes in the water and let them dissolve. Mix the flour, oats, spices, rice and milk together in a large bowl. Add in the bouillon water and milk and mix thoroughly.

When you have a stiff dough (you might have to add a little more flour or a little more water to make the dough the consistency to roll out) roll it out onto a floured surface. Preheat oven to 300° Roll dough out to 1/4" thickness. Use your pet cookie cutters and cut out the biscuit. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet or baking tray. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes then turn the oven off and leave in the oven until they get very hard. Place in air tight container when completely cooled.

*I found this helpful information that may save your dog's life on Bella Online Site. I think it's very important to know so I'll pass it on to you.

If you modify a dog treat recipe, or use other pet treat recipes, there are some ingredients you should never include when making food for dogs....

DO NOT USE CHOCOLATE, of course.
Some pet treat recipes, do use carob. Carob is a perfectly safe alternative.

DO NOT USE ONIONS IN DOG FOOD
Onions are harmful to dogs...they can cause anemia. The toxic effect of onions is the same whether they are raw, cooked or dehydrated. Onions are toxic to your dog!

DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG RAISINS OR GRAPES
Raisins and grapes can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and possible kidney failure.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG MACADAMIA NUTS
When ingested, macadamia nuts can cause muscular weakness, depression, vomiting, incoordination, tremors, fever, abdominal pain and muscle stiffness. A dog's front legs are minimally affected but the back legs can become paralyzed.
While affected dogs can be back to normal in 72 hours, some dogs may have been unnecessarily euthanized the problem was misdiagnosed as serious spinal injuries.

Make Your Own Applesauce...

Melody, from Tea Time With Melody, has asked if I have a recipe for homemade applesauce. The answer is YES! I used to make applesauce for my children when they were young and not only was it good for them, but it fills your house with a wonderful aroma. Make extra and use it to bake up a batch of applesauce muffins for breakfast, lunch or afterschool treat. Thank you for reminding me of this Melody! I'm going to have to make up a couple batches for myself!

Ingredients:
1 quart apples(peeled and sliced, I like to use 2 different types, choose Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Rome and always use a mixture - never just one type.)
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Sugar
*(if you like a darker applesauce use 1/4 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar instead of all white)
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
Cinnamon (optional...1/2 tsp or to taste)

Put all of the ingredients in a sauce pan and cook until very tender, about 20 minutes. Mash the mixture using a potato masher or an electric mixer until it is smooth. Put the applesauce in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator to cool.

That's it! You'll wonder why you hadn't made it sooner when you smell it cooking and taste the freshness of it. One of life's simple pleasures. :)

Ginger Spice Muffin Mix For Jar Gifts

As promised, here is another jar mix recipe for the holiday season! Perfect to store in your pantry or give as gifts, it's a fast and easy way to have a home baked treat in no time.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Layer ingredients in a decorative jar and attach this recipe! It's that easy!

Recipe:
Ginger Spice Muffin Mix from jar (whole jar)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and grease 12 muffin tins. In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix with the butter, egg, vanilla and milk. Stir the mixture until the ingredients are blended. Do not overmix. The batter will be lumpy. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full, and bake for 15 minutes.

Makes 1 dozen

Make Your Own Horse Treats

Yes, I know it's to early for some to think of the holiday season, but if you're making your own gifts you have to start early! Horses have our hearts, they are my favorite animal and I have loved them since a child. If you have horses of your own, or know someone who does, and would like to provide them with a special treat from your kitchen this holiday season, give these a try!

Treats can be used as a reward in training, as method of giving healing herbs or just a way to show affection. Arrange them in a bucket with some apples and your horse will truly appreciate it!

Great Coat Horse Cookies
2 cups feed (sweet or pellets)
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups chopped apples
1 ounce of dried nettle powder
1 cup of flax seeds
1 cup molasses
1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease cookie sheets. Combine all ingredients and drop small spoonfuls on sheet. Add some water if you need to for more stickiness Bake 1 hour, turn off oven and let cookies sit for another hour before removing from sheet.

Store in an air tight container

Power Packed Nutrition Cookies
1 cup oats
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup water
1/4cup of dried rosehip powder
2 tablespoons of dried ginger powder
1 oz of dried chamomile flowers
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt

Preheat the oven to 360 degrees.
Stir the ingredients into a sticky mixture. Roll the mix into balls with your hands. About a heaping spoonful of the mixture makes each ball. Grease a cookie sheet and arrange the balls on it. Bake for around 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. The cookies can be stored at room temperature in a jar.

Rainy Day Warm Mash
Bran
Sweet feed
Dried Chamomile flowers
Chopped carrots or apples
water
Warm the water, add to the dry ingredients, add some molasses. Mix together and serve warm (not hot).

Restoration And Care Of Antique Linens...Repost

I first posted this back in 2008. Those of you who have read my blog since then may remember it. With the holidays coming up, some of you may be bringing out your vintage linens to adorn your home for the holidays. I thought I'd repost this should you need to know the proper care for them when it comes time to launder.

You should fold and stitch a large piece of lace before you wash it. Fold it into a manageable rectangle and then use a loose running stitch around the perimeter to secure the folds.

Whether you are dealing with lace, linen, or even a special cotton, there are 2 methods for relatively gentle bleaching. You should try them in order of their strength.

First, use soap flakes or liquid soap, not detergent, in cool water to wash the lace or linen. Rinse very well.

Bleaching Methods
The first bleaching method is this: before the cloth gets a chance to dry, place it in the sun on a bright white cloth (so the sun's rays will be reflected to the maximum). This will work best if you live in a very sunny home and can keep the cloth inside while exposing it to the sun - outside, you have pets and insects to contend with.

The second bleaching method is to use your largest stockpot or canning kettle to bleach the fabric. Use 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup salt to every gallon of water. Be certain that there is lots more liquid in the pot than there is fabric. Bring the "stew" to a boil, cover, and simmer gently for one hour. Rinse thoroughly and dry flat.

Storing Your Linens
Once the fabric has been whitened, you'll want to store it carefully when it is not in use. Wrap it in tissue paper. Then place it in a securely-taped box with desiccant or silica gel outside the tissue paper.

You can find desiccant in the packaging for electronic equipment often and in many bottles of medication (it's those capsules that say, "Do not eat") and you should save the silica gel for just such a use as this.

Black Olive Tea Sandwiches

Here is a wonderful recipe for one of the tea sandwiches that I will be preparing for my open house tea this Christmas. Instead of the usual diagonal cut, I will use my Christmas Tree cookie cutter to make festive little sandwiches. If you are planning a tea as well, you might want to consider this tasty little sandwich. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
1 (6 ounce) can Black Ripe Pitted Olives, drained, finely chopped
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
3 tablespoons drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
3 tablespoons green onion, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 slices firm white sandwich bread
6 tablespoons light cream cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except bread and cream cheese; mix well. Cover; chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours before assembling sandwiches. Cut crusts from bread forming 4-inch squares; reserve crusts for another use. Spread cream cheese over bread. Spread olive mixture over 6 slices bread; close sandwiches with remaining bread, pressing lightly. Cut diagonally in half or lengthwise into rectangles, or use a cookie cutter of your choice.

Cinnamon Cappuccino Mix In A Pint Jar

Do you know someone on your gift list that loves coffee drinks? Turn a pint sized jar into a fabulous and frugal gift. This is also great to keep on hand for yourself so that you can have a treat on those cold winter evenings.

Decorate the top of the jar with a paper doily, lace handkerchief, beautiful wrapping paper etc, or tie 2 or 3 ribbons that say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday or whatever the occasion. You can also tie on a beautiful polished spoon that you pick up at an antique or thrift shop (50 cents to a few dollars and just lovely!), candy canes etc. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Mix 3/4 cup + 3 TBSP sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix separately:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer

1/3 cup instant coffee

Place the ingredients in the jar in this order:

1. Place cinnamon and sugar in the jar first.
2. Place coffee in the jar next, spreading it evenly to the edges of the jar.
3. Place creamer mixture into the jar last.
4. Attach recipe and you have a wonderful gift!

Recipes:
Cinnamon Cappuccino

1. Empty cappuccino mix into a large mixing bowl.
2. Blend well with a whisk.
3. Place mix back into jar or container of your choice.
4. Place 1 1/2 to 2 TBSP. mix into a cup. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir until dissolved. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Cinnamon Cappuccino Cooler

1. Place 1 cup milk, 10 small ice cubes and 2 TBSP. cinnamon cappuccino mix into a blender.
2. Blend on high until ice cubes are completely crushed. Serve immediately.

Cinnamon Cappuccino Shake

1. Place 1 scoop of soft vanilla ice cream and 1 cup milk into a quart jar.
2. Add 2 TBSP. cinnamon cappuccino mix.
3. Place lid on jar and shake until blended. (for a more modern twist use a blender :)

Herbed Rice Mix

I love making jar mixes. It is so easy to create a gift of soups, rices, cookies, breads etc. that are sure to be a hit. The boxed rice mixes you can purchase at the market are filled with sodium, not to mention other ingredients your body could do without! Make this healthier rice mix to keep on hand and use for frugal jar gifts as well.

With the holidays fast approaching I will post a jar mix a week to present as wonderful but thrifty gifts. Tuck one or a few of these into a basket with a dish towel, potholder, wooden spoons, soup bowl etc. for a healthy and thoughtful gift.

1 lb long grain rice
1/3 cup dried minced onion
1/3 cup dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon dried chives
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1 tablespoon of ground celery seed
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoons pepper

Mix the ingredients together and store in canning jars. Add a raffia bow or ribbon and instruction card and you now have a gift!

Put 1 1/3 cup of water in a pan and bring to a boil, add 1/2 cup of rice mix and simmer for 20 minutes , fluff with a fork. You can also add a dried chili pepper to the mix if you like some heat!

Dental Beauty...

According to a 5th century Chinese scroll, fashionable Chinese women used to make a dye out of the skin of purple eggplants and polish their teeth with it until they were a shiny gray. I noted quite an improvement in dental technique at my appointment today and not a vegetable was in site. :)

Frugal Tip For Herbs

Dried herbs are expensive and it's hard to use them all before they start losing some of their color and flavor. To extend the short six month shelf life of little used herbs and spices, try freezing half of a new bottle’s contents in an airtight bag or container (don’t forget to label it). When the unfrozen portion of the herb or spice loses its aroma or flavor, replace it with the other half from the freezer.

Make Your Own Stress Relieving Bath Salts

Clear away stress with this soothing bath salt recipe. Make extra to have on hand for gifts this holiday season and present it in a pretty glass jar.

Ingredients:
2 cup Epsom salts
1 cup Sea salt
10 drops food coloring of your choice
6 - 8 drops of peppermint essential oil
6 - 8 drops of rosemary essential oil
6 - 8 drops of lavender essential oil

In a large bowl mix salts first, then add the other ingredients slowly. Mix well.

Ahhh...The Scent Of Ginger Crepes

Let the spicy scent of ginger fill your cottage with the aroma of autumn, and warm up this basic crepes recipe. Drizzle these with lemon sauce and serve with coffee or tea for a wonderful dessert.



Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon dried ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Preparation:
Whisk all the ingredients vigorously until the crepe batter is completely smooth; allow it to rest in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before making into crepes.

Melt a little butter in a crepe pan or large skillet over low-medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of batter to the pan and swirl until the bottom of the pan is covered with batter. Cook the crepe for 1 minute, or until the crepe is slightly moist on top and golden underneath. Loosen the edges of the crepe, slide the spatula under it, and then gently flip it upside down into the pan. Cook for 1 minute and transfer the cooked crepe to a plate to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Fill with sauteed apples, bananas, whipped cream or whatever you'd like. Wonderful dessert when filled with ice cream!

Makes 8 servings.

Is Your Wardrobe Color...

Black? Colors speak volume of your personality. Black is one of the most beautiful colors and yet it is the absence of color. It is the color of detail. Black personalities are good at statistics and make good accountants. Black signifies dignified and impressive without being showy. If black is your color, you want to give the appearance of mystery, but your preference may also indicate a suppression of desires and worldly aims, suggesting hidden depths and inner longings.