Coffee creamer and pancake topping all in one?

Have you ever seen the commercial where the lady is ordering a piece of pie and the waitress asks if they want oil or cream? This cracks me up every time I see it. It cracks me up because it isn't actually cream that makes that brand of whipped topping. Well, I should say it has some cream in it. But it also has a whole chemistry assignment added in.

Have you ever made homemade whipped cream? It literally takes a few minutes and two ingredients. It stores well and is so much better tasting than that stuff in the can or plastic tub.

I used to buy the spray can of whipped topping or the tub of cool whip to put on pie or use in recipes calling for it. It wasn't until recently that I remembered how easy it is to make homemade whipped cream. So I got some cream and did it. Just like that. Now my boys won't eat anything but homemade. In fact, I have to keep it on hand for them to use in their coffe instead of powdered creamer and sugar. We use it in place of syrup on pancakes or waffles sometimes too.

So easy, did I mention that? Here's how to do it.

1 pint or quart of heavy whipping cream. (I use organic hormone free cream)
Powdered sugar. (I will post one of these days on how to make your own powdered sugar if you really want to go old school and homemade. Otherwise, I use organic powdered sugar.)

Pour cream into mixer. You can use hand mixer if you don't have the big mixer. Add a couple tablespoons of sugar depending on how sweet you want it. Turn on mixer (if you have the kitchen aid brand mixer, use the whisk attachment) and wait until the cream starts to thicken up and makes stiff peaks. Turn off mixer, put it in whatever container you please and refrigerate. I put half in the refrigerator and half in a container in the freezer for later use. It stores well and freezes fine for me.
Enjoy!

Starting small with one thing at a time is an easier way to make a switch to more homemade and organic real food. And who doesn't like a creamy coffee in the morning? Have I mentioned what kind of chemicals are in those powdered creamers? Until next time.....

How does your garden grow?

Spring is almost here! Finally!

In two weeks, Cameron and Shane are both going to be home all week. Spring break this year is going to be a staycation. We are going to be tilling up our backyard and getting some good planter's dirt mixed in and getting our garden ready for planting. It isn't impossible to homestead on a subdivision lot! It may be on a smaller scale than some, but we get by and have plenty of food from our garden. The last two years since moving into our home, we have had raised garden boxes with a few rows of garden and one full of strawberries. We are literally tilling up a large square of our backyard this year. Fortunately, our HOA doesn't have any rules against having a garden, as long as it is kept up with and  doesn't become unsightly. Yay!

I have a made a diagram and know exactly what will be planted. I am planning on planting potatoes the week of spring break, and possibly peas. Then a few weeks later I will plant the rest of our garden.

Gardening is something I have enjoyed doing. I enjoy planting flowers, trees, shrubs, seeds, anything. I even bought blueberry bushes and black raspberry bushes to have fruit. We have a small grape arbor and I am planning on planting two apple trees, three if I can make it fit in the space I have.

So, if you live on a small lot, you can still garden. Make sure it is okay if there is an HOA to contend with, but it is possible. If you don't want to have your backyard tilled under, then make a couple of raised beds and plant something small, like lettuce if you love salad, or herbs if you like to add flavor to your food. Little plants like lots of sun and water! And if you prefer to keep your garden free of pesticides, use vinegar to spray weeds as they come up. It will wilt them and they will die.
with spring coming up quick, it is time to start planning!!
Happy gardening!