Thrifting and A Sweater Project

Thrifting with Rachel Argo is always successful!!  We find the best finds.  On Tuesday we hit up two thrift stores in Pullman because I had decided that morning I needed a few things for dressing up for Halloween.  While picking out my 80s Jazzercise attire, my mind began to other cool and great things I could make with things at the store.  Before long, I had a hand full of costume pieces that all matched perfectly and another hand full of items that included a dress for a wedding and an old sweater for a couple projects.  Costume pictures will be revealed next week.

The sweater I picked out was for making leg warmers and a scarf out of.  As soon as I got home from the thrift store and gym, I went right to work with my scissors and hot glue gun to make these warm and cozy pieces.  I'm glad I did too because it is freezing here in Pullman.  I'm really happy with how well this thrift store find worked out.  I also think I am pretty crafty, especially, with the help of pinners on Pinterest!  I used the sleeves for the leg warmers and the body for the scarf.

The best find, though, was this old travel jewelry clutch.  Rachel and I are pretty sure its older and vintage because of its inside.  It's like mustard colored but it is super adorable.  Once I picked it up at the thrift store, there was no way I was leaving there without it.  It was just too cute and I wanted it. 

Pullman's thrift stores are pretty good.  At least I think so.  After all, I always find what I'm looking for and then some.

Pumpkins and Cider

I had a very "fall" weekend this past weekend.  It began with carving pumpkins out at my friend Rachel's house around a bonfire on Friday night.  The next morning I went with the Horticulture Club out to Bishop's Orchard (I'm in this way or that way related to them as cousins) to pick apples and press some cider.  Both events were very fun and I enjoyed the talk and laughs with my friends!

I was going to go with a traditional pumpkin face on my pumpkin but then I decided to have to school spirit to be more creative. Sooooo I ended up carving plain Jane letters out of my pumpkin to write out "WSU". I was trying to avoid plain, yet I still managed to be simple. Oh well, its cute and getting the job done out on the front porch.

I also have to mention I made a wonderful apple pie for the bonfire and carving party. At least I'm going to say people liked it since I went home with an empty pie plate.

Pressing cider Saturday morning was fun. The club members showed great team work helping press apples and get every one's milk and juice jugs filled up. I think I remember hearing we filled 27 gallons with cider...we could go into business! The sweet apple smell in the pressing barn was the best along with all the happy voices, even though, it was a bit chilly! Every one's hands were frozen ice cubes by the time we left because the apples had to be washed in a basin of water and dipped out with a bucket to be pressed. There was no avoiding wet hands in this step. Then with apple pieces flying and cider dripping from the press, there was moisture everywhere. But it was fun!!

It was good "fall" weekend!

Some Recipes!

So I tried a new recipe for the Dream Catcher Craft Night.  It was super good, perfect for fall, and puts a twist on the usual caramel and apple dip.

It's called Caramel Cheesecake Dip and here's what you need and do.

• Two 8oz packages cream cheese
• One jar of caramel ice cream topping
• One premade graham cracker crust

Whip the the cream cheese and caramel together until smooth and fluffy.  Break up the crust into tiny pieces.  This next part is key.  First, dip apple slice into cream cheese caramel mixture.  Second, dip that into the crust pieces.  Third, eat and enjoy!

The next time I make the dip I'm going to crumble graham crackers and mix with brown sugar and cinnamon because that pretty much what does into a graham cracker crust.

Another recipe I made was Pretzel Hugs.  I used the buttered round pretzels for this and Hershey kisses.  Lay pretzels onto cookie sheet with an unwrapped kiss on it.  Put warm in oven for 2 to 5 minutes at 200 degrees.  As soon as they come out, smash the kiss down by placing another pretzel on top.  These are pretty good and went super fast at craft night. 

Tonight I had some more free time so I made Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread from my Taste of Home cookbook.  It was quick and easy, and the best part is how good it tastes!  Here is the recipe!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking soda and salt. Combine buttermilk, egg and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar.

Grease the bottom only of a 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Pour half of the batter into pan; sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar. Carefully spread with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar; cut through batter with a knife to swirl.

Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to reach desired consistency; drizzle over loaf. Yield: 1 loaf.

 

I learned a little something new while making this because I didn't have butter milk.  So I Googled a substitute and found that 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon left to sit for 5 minutes is a substitute.  Pretty easy and I can't even tell that I had to use vinegar!  Just thought I'd share that tid-bit.