Thursday, June 30, 2016

Mini Cherry pies!

The Fourth of July has always seemed to be the kickoff of summer at our house. It opens up the summer festivities with fireworks, family and friends, BBQs, swimming, Popsicles, sparklers, and of course, all American cherry pie!




Last weekend my super sweet neighbor was 10 feet up in his cherry tree picking his beautifully ripe cherries. We had been watching them change vibrant colors for a month or so. I had the back door open and called to my daughter to come look, he was picking his cherries. I then hear a shout,"Bring me a big bowl, and I'll pick you some!" I did not hesitate. I was then the proud owner of 3 lbs of gorgeous ruby red cherries!




We of course savored every cherry we ate, but that's a lot of cherries! So I decided to do something fun with a portion of them and tried out mini cherry pies. You should know I am a cheater. I did not make my own crust. I bought the pre-made refrigerated pie dough by Pillsbury. I thought this would save me time and it did, but I think I'd make my own next time, but it did work!





The filling is beyond easy.

Ingredients:

approx 2 lbs cherries
1/2 cup sugar
Lemon or lime juice from half a lemon or lime
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp. ice water
1 egg lightly beaten

First you need to pit the cherries. I personally try to keep them as whole as possible but they break apart. That okay. You're going to eat them anyway!

When all the cherries have been pitted and stems removed, place in a bowl with 1/2 cup sugar and the lemon or lime juice, and mix.

Place the cherry mixture in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil for about 15 minutes or so.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and the ice water together. Then add to the cherries in the saucepan. Boil for a minute or so as it thickens, and then transfer the hot cherry mixture to a bowl and place in fridge to cool.

In the meantime, spray a muffin pan with cooking spray.

Roll out your pie dough on a lightly floured surface and using a circle cookie cutter or similar, cut out the dough and place into the muffin pan. Also cut the dough how you'd like to have the pie tops. I did a few variations.

When the cherry mixture has cooled, place the mixture in each pie crust and then place on the top. Lightly brush tops with egg to make it shiny and sprinkle with sugar.

Cook at 350 degrees for about 20-30 min depending on your oven. They will look golden when done and the cherry juice may start to bubble up.

Let cool and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!



We enjoyed our mini pies! I think we will do it next time with fresh berries. (smacks lips!)

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

-Happy pinning!


Sunday, May 29, 2016

Camping or Glamping?

Hello All!

If you haven't noticed, I disappeared for a while. Life got in the way. Wish I could say it was something interesting, but sometimes being an adult is just plain hard. Being a parent is hard. And sometimes, just getting through the day has to be enough. I make no pretense about anything other than that. For the last 6 months MY life has been hard, and I just haven't made the effort I was making before to find the time for myself, let alone to blog. I have remedied that today. Today I shall blog. It's nothing big. No current project or fantastical idea. Just something that is fun. Something for those who will find themselves sleeping under the stars next to a campfire with family and friends...or...for those more like myself...Glampers. Those campers who bring a little civilization with them in the form of a camper with running water and a shower. Ha!

I LOVE the smell of a campfire. That smoky goodness that sparks the memory of family and... S'mores. Hehe. As a kid I went with my church youth and spent a week in tents and sleeping bags, surrounding campfires with giggles and ghost stories, and hunting Snipes(mythical unreal creatures) until the group leaders sent us back to our tents. I was taught to love camping. Good times. Good memories.

For all those who will find themselves outdoors enjoying a summer retreat this summer(or even those just brave enough for their backyard), here are some SERIOUSLY fun ideas!


Campfire Cones filled with marshmallows, chocholate, bananas and so much more. You'll love this treat. (Fun & Easy, Oh So Yummy Summer Dessert):

Photo credit to hip2save.com
I kinda think its a sin not to make S'mores when you go camping, but this version? Jump in my mouth please! Don't these look absolutely delicious?! Pop on over to Hop2save's blog and check out this recipe and other way fun ideas!


Camping Hot Dogs Recipe for the Campfire - Take these hot dogs to the backyard this summer or use as a camping entree idea on your text trip. Recipe on Fugal Coupon Living.:


Photo credit to Frugalcouponliving.com

Looking for an easy campfire meal? Check this out! Campfire hot dogs on a stick! Visit frugalcouponliving.com for this recipe along with several others like Campfire Cinnamon Rolls and some great camping hacks!


Adding sage to your campfire or fire pit keeps mosquitoes and bugs away.- Camping Hacks:


Speaking of campfires...did you know if you burn sage in your campfire, you keep mosquitoes and other unwelcome pests at bay? Check it out at the above Buzzfeed link. She also has a fun list of camping hacks.


10 Campfire Games - 10 fun, no prep, family memory building games for around a campfire. Great for summer camping trips! (family vacation, camping, family games, play):


Campfires aren't just for tinfoil meals and staying warm, they are for singing, telling stories, and of course games! Here is a link to some fun game ideas!



Here is my list of the best camping supplies to buy at the dollar store (there's a free printable further down) so that you can focus on making memories during you next camping trip rather than keeping track of every little thing you brought with you.:


Photo credit: Savingmoneycamping.com

Camping can be expensive, even just short trips. Here is an awesome site to help you out on tips and tricks to keeping down the bill! This is a great camping website!



Enjoy the great outdoors with these awesome designs. Hiking, Camping and more! Free Shipping on U.S. orders over $50.00.:

If you're like me, you like a good outfit even when camping. This site has a ton of fun camping t-shirts, hoodies, and more!



Campfire Starters | Your Ultimate Camping Checklist So you can spend more time roasting marshmallows. Toilet paper rolls and dryer lint are an inexpensive DIY project.:


Last but not least, the campfire! What's camping with no campfire? Surely not camping. Here's a great tutorial for making Fire Starter Kits. Please be mindful and follow your area's camping regulations during summer fire season! 


Summer is just around the corner and this three day weekend has jump started my motivation. Happy summer to you! Enjoy the warm weather headed your way! Enjoy your Glamping/camping!

And as always...Happy Pinning!

-Amanda