DIY Applesauce/Babyfood

I began making applesauce as a school project for my first grade students.  I had been looking for a fun craft or snack for my class for Johnny Appleseed Day.  While I was searching I came across a recipe for home made applesauce.  I personally don't care for applesauce - something about the texture.  But, my kids all loved it!  It was a big hit with them!  So, every year for Johnny Appleseed day we would make applesauce!  It was a great lesson that they never knew they were learning!

I am currently a stay at home, taking care of my two precious children, so I am not making applesauce once a year.  Instead I am making it at least once a month!  My children love it and think it is a great treat!  I do try to buy a lot of apples when I find a good deal and make my applesauce ahead.

I start with my wonderful Pampered Chef Apple Wedger!

This nice little tool makes the job so much faster and easier!  Simply press down, then peel each little section!

I usually cut each section in half, but that is not a must.  The smaller the pieces, the more quickly the applesauce will cook.  So the size of the apple pieces is totally up to you.  I also add about 1/4 c. water to the crock-pot.  You can add cinnamon if you want - I always did, until we discovered my daughter has a mild cinnamon allergy.

When I made this in the classroom I cut my apples into very small pieces to be sure my applesauce was cooked in time for the students to sample it! When I make it at home I don't worry about the size of the pieces.  I just toss them in the crock pot and turn it on high!

Each time I walk through the kitchen I try to just give the apples a quick stir.  This just makes sure they continue to cook evenly and also let me know when they are done!  (It has also let me know I forgot to plug in the crock-pot...)

If I were making this for my toddler or older children, I would be finished after mashing the apples with a spoon.  However, when I make it for my 6 month old, I use a blender to puree the applesauce.  Then, I spoon it into ice cube trays to freeze and use as needed!

Good Luck and Enjoy!

DIY Microwave Popcorn

I don't know about ya'll, but I LOVE popcorn!! The more butter and salt the better!  (Not better for you....but it sure does taste good!)  Last night I decided I would like some popcorn...but, I didn't have any microwave popcorn.  I do have an air popper, but I was being lazy and didn't feel like pulling it out.  So, I decided to try the DIY microwave popcorn I had seen on Pinterest!  It was good!  I did learn a couple things to make it better next time though!

The tutorials I read each said to put 1/4 c. popcorn kernels in a glass bowl.  I used the 1.5 quart, and it was much too small...  I would probably use my largest glass mixing bowl.  It also said to put a ceramic plate on top...that was no problem, unless you don't have one big enough for your bowl.

The tutorials also said to pop the popcorn about 3 minutes...that was not long enough for mine.  I'm sure all microwaves are different though and the time will vary from person to person.  I let mine go for about 4 minutes and my popcorn kernels were not all popped.  However, my bowl was full!

The healthiest way to eat the popcorn would be plain...but, I don't always go for the healthiest (even though I do try to usually).  I like to melt a chunk of real butter in a bowl with some olive oil and drizzle the mixture over the popped popcorn and then add some salt!

My snack was absolutely delicious!!  Let me know if you try it and if you like it!!

Diaper Box Makeover - Pinterest Project of the Week

Although I use cloth diapers when we are at home...I have chosen to use disposables when we are out and about, especially when we travel! Therefore, I have several diaper boxes.  I also am trying to organize my daughter's closet in a cute and inexpensive way.  Therefore, I saw a great idea on Pinterest about covering diaper boxes. The idea that I read mentioned using contact paper or sticky shelf paper.  When I went shopping the cheapest I could find was approximately $6 + tax, and, it was partially see-through.  So, as I was walking through the store, I found a large display of very cute duck tape!  Voila!  I actually bought 2 rolls ($3 each) because I had other projects that needed duck tape!

This project used less than one roll of duck tape (I probably could cover 2 boxes with just one roll).  I was beyond excited about how my project turned out!!  Check out the pictures below and let me know what you think!


I began with one diaper box...

Use scissors or a box cutter to remove the top flaps (I think using a box cutter is much easier!)...

I then began placing the duck tape (I alternated my two designs just for fun!)

The finished product is now in my daughter's closet holding all kinds of wonderful things!!  Seriously! This was so much cheaper than purchasing storage cubes!  I could easily have done 2 boxes from one roll of duck tape and possibly had a little left over!!  Yay for super Pinterest project!!

Let me know what method you try and how it worked out for you!

And so the School year begins...

It has been way too long since I have written anything and I have certainly missed blogging!!  However, a week of working to get my classroom ready and the first week of school proved to be exceptionally exhausting! Hopefully, I will soon get adjusted to my new schedule and get back to my creative fun!  :)  I have worked on a couple project and gathered supplies for some more...so stay tuned for some really neat ideas! I am realizing my projects may not happen daily through the school year, but hopefully I can manage a two or three projects a week (depending on what all is going on in First Grade).  Also, some of my projects may start to include some pretty great ideas I have pinned for my classroom! My paper tree is definitely going to make it to the blog...whenever I can remember to take a finished picture...as well as some other cute ideas!!

I did do some baking this weekend and made my first chocolate chip cookie cake!  We had fellowship dinner at church tonight, so this was my contribution!

I was so excited about how it turned out!  The cookie was soft (but done) all the way through and stayed that way!!  There was not much left after the dinner and now that it has been discovered at the house, I don't think there will be any left by tomorrow!  Check out Simply Sweet on Facebook if you are interested in seeing more of my cakes!

Laying Floor...

First of all, I am most certainly not a floor expert...but, when someone asks you to help and you are a person like me - someone who has not acquired the ability to say 'no'...you help!  So...I helped lay new floor in our church nursery.  It was a kind of flooring I was not aware of.  I have had laminate flooring and have seen hardwood, and of course carpet...but this was vinyl strips that looked like laminate flooring...it was called a floating floor.

Our first step was to pull up the existing carpet and fill in any holes/large spaces of different height than the rest of the floor...

You cannot really tell from the picture, but this floor is very uneven!  However, the flooring covered over it just fine!   Each strip of flooring had a sticky edge all around it and it overlapped the pieces around it.

We cut the pieces of vinyl using just a box cutter type tool.  I was very surprised at how easy it was to cut and size.  The door frame was probably the most tricky part, which I think can be true with any floor project. 

This is the finished product!  We were very proud of ourselves....two ladies who had never done this before and some help we recruited for the door and final edge..and it looks great!!

This can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot for a little less than $2 a square foot.  A bonus about the vinyl is that it is more waterproof than the laminate or hardwood.

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 14

Yesterday I spent the day in a minivan with my sister-n-law and her three children...so...didn't really do much of a project! :)  However, any day spent with family is wonderful!!  So, I thought I would show ya'll an old project that I did and had on back-up for such situations!  I have already talked about my closet and the pegboard to hang my purses (thanks Dad and Stephen).  I had been trouble storing my 'cute' winter boots and saw the neatest idea on Pinterest.   You take those foam pool noodles and cut them to size and stick them down in your boots.  So, I went to get some pool noodles...and could not find them!!!  But finally, after girls night with my best friend we were seeking shelter from a storm in Kroger and there were my pool noodles...ON SALE!!  Woohoo!!  I bought three, but only used two, and here is the finished product!  I am so pleased with this project, and it was SO easy!!

Put the pool noodle  in your boot

Mark the desired height with a marker

Cut with regular scissors

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 8

Today I decided to try to make the 'One Hour Scarf' that I pinned awhile back.  It takes four strands of yarn and a 10mm crochet hook.   I'm not exactly sure if I used the right size crochet hook because my biggest one does not have a size printed on it, but it worked great!  I used four fall-like colors this time, to try the pattern out, but next time I am thinking of using two colors, two strands of each color. I really liked how this turned out.  I do have to admit it took me two days to complete my 'One Hour Scarf' - crazy right?  But, I started it, and worked off and on amidst laundry and housework. Then, left for dinner, planning to come home and finish, but got caught in the storm and didn't make it home until after 11:00, so I finished when I got up this morning.  I do think if I were to sit down and work continuously that I could complete this scarf in an hour or an hour and a half at the most!  I also did not modify this pattern at all!  The pattern can be found at: http://laughingpurplegoldfish.blogspot.com/2008/03/one-hour-scarf.html.  If you try it, let me know how it goes!!

This is my finished scarf and the crochet hood I used.  I got this crochet hook at Wal-Mart for a very decent price!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 7

I didn't actually do this project today.  I am actually away from home and am in Memphis at the National Association of Free Will Baptist.  Since it is quite difficult to travel with all my favorite crafting supplies, I thought I would post about a project I have already completed...and actually I have done this project many times. It makes a great gift and every one who has received this has been very grateful! :)  There are many different patterns you can use, either crochet or knit and these are the most useful things you will ever make!!  I have pinned many patterns on my crochet/knit board on Pinterest - the one below I actually found in a book I had bought years ago...the main thing is that you use cotton yarn!   I have found that it is cheapest at Wal-Mart unless you use a 40% coupon at one of the crafting stores like Hobby Lobby or JoAnn!

I am actually talking with a local shop owner about putting some of these in her store on consignment, as well as perhaps some scarves or other hand made items....so, all prayers are appreciated! :)

Also, if you don't want to make your own...check out my shot at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplySweetbyCori?ref=si_shop!!  You can even request custom colors.  Enter the coupon code 'Project10' for a 10% discount!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day4

Today's Pinterest Project of the Day is not actually from Pinterest....However, I believe it will be on Pinterest soon.  I have to give full credit for this idea to my Dad.  I have always had difficulty storing my purses...I tried drawers, shelves, and everything I could think of, but nothing would work.  So, when I bought my first house a few years ago, my Dad had a brilliant idea!  My closet was a walk-in, with two walls of shelving and one empty wall.  He had the amazing idea of hanging a piece of pegboard on the empty wall and using that to hang my purses and tote bags.  It was the most amazing closet revelation ever!!!  So, today, my wonderful sweet loving husband and my brilliant father cut a piece of pegboard and hung it in my closet!!  I just hope the people that bought my first house understood why there was pegboard in the closet of the master bedroom of a single girl... :)   I used various sized pegs (from Lowe's) to hang the purses, and I also bought a couple baskets (that fit in the pegboard) to hold things like sunglasses.  I also use one peg to hang belts from!

If you have any amazing closet organization ideas please let me know!!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 3

Hi, my name is Cori, and I am addicted to dessert... 

My Grandfather is talked about for asking what was for dessert as soon as the prayer for the meal was over!  I think I am much like him in that way.  I am always ready for dessert.  As a child, I would tell my mother that I was full of regular food, but that I had a separate space for dessert!  Being in and out of town or visiting with family during the summer means that I don't do as much cooking.  The only desserts I have made in the past few weeks have been to take places.  Tonight after dinner, I wanted some dessert, but I did not want to make a big dessert.  I recalled seeing the Mug Cake on Pinterest.  So, as usual, I compared a few different recipes that I found, and modified them to make my own version.  It was delicious!  This project was definitely a success.  I may still tweak the recipe some...next time I plan to try using one egg in two mug cakes (I made two tonight,because if you make dessert, you should have enough to share with your loving husband!).  I will let you know how it goes in the future.  Below is the recipe I compiled and modified to make my own.  If you have any recommendations, please comment! I would love to hear your feedback!

Mug Cake

4 T All Purpose Flour

4 T Sugar

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 Egg

1 T Coco Powder

1 1/2 T Hershey's Syrup

1 T Milk

1/2 tsp Vanilla

3 1/2 T oil

Chocolate Chips

Mix all ingredients in large coffee mug.  Cook in microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.  Let cool - just enough that it won't burn you.  ENJOY!!!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 1

I have pinned so many amazing and interesting things on Pinterest, but have not followed through on doing many of them.  Therefore, I am going to try to go through and do as many as possible!!  I thought it would be fun to post about how each project went as I did them.  Today, I made my first diaper cake.  I have seen many diaper cakes as various showers and such, but I have not ever made one.  I wanted mine to be a little different.   I had noticed at showers there was always a cake and a diaper cake.  So, I thought I would try to combine the two.  (I also thought it might be a cute marketing idea for Simply Sweet ~ by Cori www.simplysweetbycori.blogspot.com)  I checked out pinterest for some diaper cake ideas and there were so many cute ones!  Since this was my first I didn't do anything to terribly elaborate.  I simply made a large round cake and then made two layers of diapers for the topper.  I did not plan ahead very well and had to ask my husband to help me.  I really needed more rubber bands than I had on hand.  I needed to rubber band the center, then wrap the diapers around it and rubber band that...but my husband had to hold diapers in place until I could rubber band them! The cake turned out very well!  Hopefully now that I have the basics down I can make one a little more fun/fancy next time!