Another dollar store find

Drew and I stopped quickly at the dollar store last Friday, and I let him pick out one thing. He wanted to get those capsules that "melt" in water and turn into a little sponge animal. He remembered doing this on vacation at the cabin this last summer and so he wanted to try it again. Here is a look at some good quality entertainment...

CHAI

Well I just finished my second batch of Chai mix since November. I got this recipe from a friend in MI, thanks Jen H! I love sipping it at night (well anytime really) snuggled under a blanket watching tv. This is hands down the best I've tasted, no coffee shop can beat it. A few of you have asked for the recipe, so while it's still out on my counter, I thought I'd better post it.

Chai Mix

1 c. nonfat dry milk powder

1 c. powdered non-dairy creamer

1 c. Vanilla flavored powdered creamer

2 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. unsweetened instant tea

2 t. ground ginger

2 t. ground cinnamon

1 t. ground cloves

1 t. ground cardamom

1 t. ground nutmeg

In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. In a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor, blend small amounts at a time until mixture is the consistency of powder.

To serve: Stir 2 heaping Tablespoons into a mug of hot water.

Makes about 36 servings.

Strawberry lovin'

Drew is my strawberry jam lover. Actually we all are when it's homemade. I grew up with homemade freezer jam. My mom would make batches and batches with fresh strawberries we'd all help pick. The last few years I've just been buying frozen strawberries and making it one batch at a time throughout the year. Drew eats a tablespoon in his oatmeal almost every morning. It's also great in plain yogurt and of course in a PB&J sandwich. It tastes sooo much better than what you get in the store (very fresh), it's cheaper, and very easy to make!! It takes 4 cups of crushed berries and I end up with 3 mason jars and a yogurt container full. Here is my stash, now in the freezer, that I made Thursday morning.

We follow the recipe from the Sure-jell box. We get the the pink one because it uses less sugar.

Randomness for your enjoyment...

Drew entertained us while we waited for Trent's basketball game to start. And let me tell you, I think he found his calling ;)




AND Mike's experiment over New Year's...a BEARD.