Root beer freeze

Time to break out the ice cream freezer! We love to make homemade ice cream and can't wait for summer. We tried this recipe last summer and will keep trying new flavors.It is cheaper most homemade recipes and fast too. The combinations are endless and easy to please everyone.

Root Beer Freeze

2 liters of Root Beer

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of whipping cream, optional(makes it taste like a root beer float)

Place the root beer in the freezer for 30 minutes or until it starts to become slushy. (This greatly increases the time it will take for the ice cream to freeze) Combine the root beer, sweetened condensed milk and cream in the ice cream freezer. Then freeze! Serve immediately.

Notes: Try any flavor soda but omit the cream. We've tried orange, grape and strawberry. Orange was my favorite.

3 ingredients hot fudge

This is the easiest and yummiest hot fudge recipe! It takes just a few minutes and can be done in the microwave. It is thick and creamy. I don't think I'll find one better.

A cup, a cube and a can Hot fudge

1 cup chocolate chips, any kind will work.

1/2 cup butter, or known as a cube

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Melt the chocolate chips and butter in the microwave. One minute to start and the 30 increments until melted. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Serve on ice cream or other lovely desserts. Keep in the fridge, but it will disappear fast.

Local honey!

This spring, a friend approached us about keeping bees as a joint venture. They would carry most of the financial burden and we'd watch them as well as provide the location. How's that for local!  I insisted that they were away from where the kids played, especially to help unsuspecting or curious kids away.

The bees were busy all summer and we hardly noticed them. Fall rolled around and it was time to harvest!

Aaron and Kevin collected the honey and took it to be spun.

We like to think that the bees helped the local farmers.

We ended up with really delicious honey, which we split with the other family. We can't wait to see what next year brings, hopefully more honey!

Hot dog roaster bags

With a large family we always have jeans wearing out with still usable parts and I hate to just throw them out. We also have lots of the same item, like roasting sticks, and I struggle to keep them organized! So I had the idea to cut off a pant leg and make it into a bag for all of our roasting sticks. No more hunting them down as they fall behind things in our shed.

These were really fast and simple!

1. Rustle up old jeans, without a hole in the knee.  You could make a fun patch for them and then use them. 

2. Measure your roasting sticks. Add 4 inches. Cut your pant let off at the measured distance plus 4.

3. Turn the pant leg inside out. Sew the bottom closed, about 1 inch seam allowance.

4. Fold down the top 1 inch, pin in place. Sew around the top leaving a 1 inch gap. I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance and a small zigzag stitch.

5. Measure 18 inches of paracord or other cording. Cut and then fuse the ends.

6. Thread through the casing. Knot together.

7. Fill with roasting sticks! Enjoy not having a tangled mess of roasting sticks next time you decide it is time for hot dogs and smores.

Homemade Chocolate frosty

Every summer we love to make homemade ice cream! I have my favorite recipe but wanted to try something different. We love Wendy's frosties, we just don't indulge very often. So this recipe was a lot cheaper and quick to make. We just added more chocolate than the original recipe.

 Homemade Chocolate Frosty

yields 4 quarts

1/2 gallon chocolate milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

8 oz. whipped topping

1/2 cup chocolate syrup, if you want more chocolaty flavor

Combine well and pour into the ice cream freezer. Freeze and enjoy!

Chicken and Green Chili Pasta

I cook a lot of pasta because it is fast and cheap. But the Italian twist gets old after a while. I found this recipe over at Joyful Momma's Kitchen and thought it would be a refreshing change. We love Mexican food and loved this recipe. My favorite part is that is it is totally from scratch, but don't let that scare you! I just used sharp cheddar because I love the strong flavor. We've made this several times and it disappears quickly. Check it out here!

Preacher's cake

I just have to say I loved this cake! I was moist, flavorful and just plain delicious! I can't wait to make it again. It has crushed pineapple that gives it the flavor and moisture. It was great for a summer treat but it would be great any time. Go visit Good Food Gourmet for the recipe! Below is my cream cheese frosting. I like it because it has a strong cream cheese flavor.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
Cream together until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in 4 cups powdered sugar.