The Craft Patch

Pinterest Tested: Tub Cleaner

2012-05-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today I am testing this PIN:

THE TEST: The claim in this Pin is that you can spray on a solution of vinegar and dish soap, leave it for an hour, then wipe your tub clean. Does it work, no scrubbing or scouring involved?

I am skeptical of Pinterest posts like this because the claims are so fantastic. This is one I’ve been wanting to try for a while because I hate cleaning the tub. It’s usually one of the jobs that gets left undone until overnight house guests are coming. (Come on, I know I’m not the only one who does that. Haha.)

So I mixed up a solution of Dawn dish soap and vinegar, sprayed it on half my tub (so I could compare the two sides for more clear results). About an hour later, I came in with a rag, wiped that side down, and this is what I found:

Score! I did not scrub one tiny bit and my tub is sparkling white. The pictures just don’t do it justice. I could actually see the line down the middle where the solution touched the tub. Look:

And no scrubbing! Really… I just wiped the grime away!

THE RESULTS: This is one Pin I feel I can recommend whole-heartedly. I think I am in love!

P.S. Did you know they sell cleaning grade vinegar? I found mine at Wal-Mart by the other multi-purpose cleaners. It’s cheaper than food grade vinegar and is perfect for jobs like this.

Oreo Crumble Cookies

2012-05-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

I love it when happy accidents occur. A few weeks ago, my sister was making chocolate chip cookies to take to a party. She went into her pantry and discovered that she was completely out of chocolate chips. With no time to run to the store, she started looking for ways to salvage her cookie dough. She crumbled up some Oreo cookies, mixed them into the batter, and that was the creation of Oreo Crumble Cookies.

Don't they look delicious? They are like cookies-and-cream ice cream in the soft, chewy, buttery vanilla form of a chocolate chip cookie. What could be better?

So here's the recipe:

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 3/4 cup flour (may need more for correct consistency)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 package Oreo cookies
ALL IMPORTANT RULE: Use a wooden spoon and stir everything by hand. Absolutely no hand mixer or Kitchen Aids allowed!!!
Mix all wet ingredients together; add dry and stir until just moistened. Place cookies in a Ziplock bag and smash to make large chunks. Mix gently into dough. Drop by the tablespoon onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for around 11 minutes. Watch the cookies---when they barely start getting brown on top and are no longer shiny, take them out but WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT OVERBAKE! I suggest making one test cookie to see how long to bake them and if the texture is right. Then you can increase/decrease baking time when you put in a full batch.

Pinterest Tested: Peanut Butter Banana Bites

2012-05-07T01:01:00.000-07:00

This is the Pin up for testing this week:

Peanut Butter Banana Bites

This looks like an easy treat that at least has some nutritional merit.

THE TEST: A no brainer here... are these as scruptious as the picture makes them look?

Here's how mine turned out:

THE RESULT: To tell the truth, these did not stay in the freezer long enough to get frozen. I was too impatient to, ahem...."research" them. Even without being frozen, they were just as tasty as I had hoped. Yum!

Little Candy Scriptures

2012-05-03T11:49:00.001-07:00

My kids came home from church on Sunday with the cutest little gift from their teachers...miniature scriptures made of candy! I thought they were too cute not to share...

Adorable, right? They are made from these:

To make your own candy scriptures, this is what you will need:

1. Two Hershey's Nuggets per book you want to make

2. Black cardstock cut into rectangles slightly bigger than two nuggets set side-by-side.

3. A thought or scripture typed up on white paper (you'll have to make it just the right size to fit over the candy).

4. Red ribbon

5. Glue gun

Start by wrapping both nuggets with the words you typed out. Glue on back to hold that part together. Then drape the red ribbon down the center and tack it down with glue. All you have left is to glue the candy to the black cardstock backing and you are done! It's that easy.

You could also modify this idea to make plain books instead of scriptures for a summer reading kick-off reminder or to give as rewards to kids at school who meet their reading goals or to thank your favorite librarian. The possibilities are endless!

Pinterest Tested: Sidewalk Chalk Paint

2012-04-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

This week I am testing this PIN:

It's a recipe for sidewalk chalk paint! Just in time for warm weather and lots of time spent outside.

THE TEST: Will the kids have fun with this? How labor intensive is it to make? How does it look on the sidewalk? Is it easy to clean up?

These are the ingredients I used:

I mixed the whole box of cornstarch with 2 cups water in a big bowl. Then I poured it into a muffin tin and added color to each separate cup. This is what it looked like:

THE RESULT: Easy to make, easy to clean, inexpensive, fun summer activity! Next time I'm adding more dye, though. It would have been better if the colors were brighter.

46 Pun-Intended Thank You Gift Ideas

2012-04-24T15:20:00.001-07:00

With summer coming on, it's time for changes. And usually when there are changes, there are people to thank. So today I'm sharing an arsenal of gift ideas that all use puns or play-on-words. This list can be modified to give to teachers, co-workers, volunteers, neighbors, church workers, friends, or just about anyone. All you do is make up a little tag or note with the phrase written on it, then attach it to the gift item in parenthesis. This list has ideas for any price range. You can go fancy or simple. You can make elaborate packaging or a plain note. It's all up to you! Hope this gives you some good ideas!

1. We “SODA” like you. Thanks so much! (soda pop)

2. You are a “SOUPER” teacher. (can of soup)

3. You’re a “PEACH.” (peach jam, a fresh peach, or peach gummy rings)

4. To someone who always puts their best “FOOT” forward. (pair of socks, Fruit-By-The-Foot)

5. I could “BEAR”ly have made it without you. (Gummy bears or bear-shaped cookie cutter)

6. Thanks for adding “SPICE” to our lives. (jar of salsa)

7. Thank you for putting “COLOR” in my life. (box of crayons)

8. Here’s a bottle of LOTION for all the kindness you set in motion! (lotion)

9. Thank you! You’re one smart COOKIE. (plate or bag of cookies)

10. Not to be CORNY, but we really appreciate all that you do. (corn muffin mix, ears of corn, popcorn)

11. When it comes to teaching, you are “HOT STUFF.” (hot pad, Red Hot candies)

12. You’re a de”LIGHT” to work with. (candle, flashlight)

13. When help is needed, you’re always willing to “CHIP” in. (bag of chips)

14. Thanks to someone who really knows how to serve. (serving spoon)

15. I “DONUT” know what I would do without you! (box of doughnuts)

16. You’re worth a “MINT” (breath mints, Andes mints, mint brownies)

17. Thanks a “BUNCH” (bunch of bananas)

18. Thanks for adding PIZZAz to our meeting! (pizza sauce/toppings, box of pizza, gift card)

19. We think you’re “GRATE” (cheese grater)

20. Thank you for “CHEW”sing to come! (pack of gum)

21. We’re ROOTING for you. Good luck! (root beer)

22. It’s been a BALL working with you. Hope you have a BALL (popcorn balls)

23. Thanks for being there when KNEADED, for RISING to the occasion, for never LOAFING on the job, for helping others to HEEL. No matter how you SLICE IT, you do a great job! (loaf of bread)

24. Jelly is like love: you can’t spread it around without getting some on yourself. (jam or jelly)

25. You add SPARKLE and make life brighter wherever you go! (cleaners, sparkly lotion or lipgloss)

26. We’re NUTS about you! (bag of nuts)

27. You’ve been a lifesaver! (Lifesavers)

28. If friends were flowers, I’d pick you! (floral dish towel, fresh flowers, flower shaped candy)

29. Hope your day is SPRINKLED with laughter and love. (jar of sprinkles, cupcake with sprinkles)

30. Sending you HUGS and KISSES on your special day. (Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses)

31. Just POPPING by to say hello. (popcorn or soda pop)

32. We couldn’t re”STRAIN” ourselves from saying thank you. (strainer filled with treats)

33. No one MATCHES you! Thanks for all you do. (matches with or without candle)

34. Thank you to a “NOTEWORTHY” friend. (pencil and note pad)

35. You did a “BEARY” great job. To a “BEARY” great friend. (bear shaped honey)

36. Da-“GUM” you are a great teacher. (pack of gum)

37. You are “PASTA”-tively wonderful! You did a “PASTA”-tively wonderful job. (pasta and sauce)

38. Snap! Crackle! Pop! We think you are really tops! (rice krispie treats)

39. Anyway you BREAK it, we think you’re the greatest (toffee or brittle)

40. You are the APPLE of my eye (apple anything---pie, lotion, muffins, candy)

41. You take the CAKE! (cupcakes or cake)

42. Whip up this MIX for a sweet tooth fix. (brownie, cake or muffin mix)

43. Here’s a little treat. Rise and bake, it can’t be beat. Warm, fresh rolls for you. Thanks for all you do! (Rhodes rolls or homemade frozen dough)

44. I really “CARROT” a lot about you! (baby carrots or carrot cake)

45. Here’s the SCOOP… you did a great job! (ice cream or ice cream scoop)

46. The kindness you show makes our friendship GROW and GROW! (potted plant)

Mother's Day Quote

2012-04-24T13:11:00.001-07:00

I came across this quote a few months back, and the words really had an impact on me. I have watched this selflessness in my own mother and have felt the same desire to give everything I have to my own children. As Mother's Day approaches, I thought it only appropriate to share. There are several different versions... feel free to print/alter/share them however you wish.

Make A Swimsuit Modest

2012-04-14T12:49:00.006-07:00

Summer is just around the corner and if your family is like mine, that means you will be spending a lot of time at the pool. And that means swimsuits. Every woman's favorite thing to shop for, right?! Ha Ha.

Two years ago, my tankini top gave out, but I loved the black boy shorts that came with them so I searched for a new top to go with the original shorts. Then last summer those shorts gave out, so I had to find a new pair to match the top I had just bought. Ack! What a mess!

One thing I noticed while shopping is that it is nearly impossible to find a tankini top that is 1) long enough to cover my stomach and 2) has a high enough neckline to cover my chest. I figure I have quite enough skin exposed when wearing a swimsuit as it is without having such a plunging neckline.

So what's a girl to do? Here's my solution:

Here's how to add cleavage coverage to your swimsuit:

1. Buy a little bit of coordinating swimsuit fabric. Or cut up an old swimsuit if you have one that would work.

2. Make a hem along one edge of the fabric. This will be the top part of the triangle that you sew in, and it will show, so make it pretty.

3. Put on your swimsuit top. Pin the fabric so that it covers everything you want it to. Make sure that it lays flat and the hem across the top is straight.

4. Remove the swimsuit top and sew the fabric on using a stretch stitch. I sewed from the front side and followed the original stitching on the suit so that you can't even see where I sewed the fabric on. You can see from the pictures that my sewing machine did not like this fabric and the stitches are really messy on the back. I have worn this suit for two summers now and it is still holding together, so who cares?! Now you can swim with confidence!

Okay, who am I kidding... does any woman feel confident in a swimsuit?! Ha Ha.

Host Your Own Backyard Summer Olympics

2012-04-10T14:00:00.002-07:00

Today I'm sharing an idea for something to do with the kids this summer. This week is our Spring Break, so I decided to hold our first annual Summer Olympics (even though summer is still on it's way around here, as evidenced by the still-brown grass in our yard).

I wanted to keep things simple so that I wasn't spending my whole day preparing each event. So I used things from around the house and came up with simple games. I also didn't want to have them compete against each other because it always leads to hurt feelings, so the games were not set up to be competitive.

Here are some of the events we had:
Tree Targets: I hung paper plates from a tree branch and the kids had to use tennis balls to hit all four plates before "winning."

Sidewalk Jump: I drew a series of circles on the sidewalk using sidewalk chalk and the kids had to jump from circle to circle without falling off.

Tricycle Relay: The kids had to weave in and out of obstacles and race back to the finish line. I drew sidewalk chalk lines to help them understand which way they needed to weave.

Three Legged Race: An oldie, but a goodie. This was one of their favorite events!

And of course, they both received gold medals for winning all the events. I used real medals I had tucked away in a dresser drawer from past races I've run. But you could easily make your own with cardstock and ribbon. I did the simplified version, but if you wanted to be ambitious, you could make an awards platform with the three steps of varied heights for the kids to stand on to receive their medals.

Some other event ideas:
- water balloon toss
-miniature golf
-"Plunkerton" (have you seen that episode of The Office? They tie paper boxes to their feet and have to race while balancing on them
-variations on a foot race: skip, hop, crab-walk, crawl, pair up and wheelbarrow race
-badminton, volleyball, or tennis using balloons or beach balls

I think it would be super fun to do this with the whole neighborhood. It would be so great if each mom on the block set up one event in her front yard and then all the kids traveled from house to house to compete.

Or hold the Olympics with all the cousins or grandkids at the next family reunion

And if you really got into the spirit of it, you could make THESE Olympic-themed cupcakes to serve afterwards.

Hope this gets you excited for a summer packed with fun activities!

Pinterest Tested: Arm Pit Stain Remover

2012-04-10T13:06:00.006-07:00

Welcome to Pinterest Tested! Ever wonder if that miracle cleaner is really miraculous? Or what about that homemade facial cleanser or delicious-looking recipe? This is the place to find out! Each Monday I am testing Pins that catch my eye to see if they really live up to the claims made on Pinterest. It's like the Mythbusters of Domesticity!

Today I'm testing THIS PIN:
It's a problem we sweaty people have to deal with... those horrid yellow stains on all of our white undershirts. I have tried many different remedies and have yet to find one that works perfectly. And apparently I am not alone: this is a very popular Pin!

THE TEST: Will hydrogen peroxide and Dawn work as a stain remover for yellow underarm stains?

I gave it a whirl. And it worked... sort of. It definitely lightened the stains on most of the shirts, but it didn't completely get rid of them. Here's my picture:But what I think would work really well is if I used this every time I wash my white shirts to help prevent the stains from ever getting bad.
THE RESULT: It worked, but not miraculously. I think it could get rid of stains with repeated use.

After I washed these, I read that sprinkling a little baking powder on the stain helps with scrubbing power. I am definitely going to try this again. I think if I treat them with every wash, this solution will work.

Updating Tired Jeans

2012-04-03T12:00:00.004-07:00

Hey everyone! I know it's been slim pickings at The Craft Patch lately, but it is spring! That glorious time of year when everyone comes out of hibernation, the trees start to blossom and my skin remembers what the sun's touch feels like. It is simply too scrumptious a time of year to be stuck inside.

However, the change in weather has got me itching to update my wardrobe. It's just not in ye ole budget to splurge on myself right now, so I've been trying to do a few little things to help me feel fresh and renewed and ready for summer.

My project to share today is how to update a pair of jeans. Here is the before and after picture: All I did was stitch over the existing top-stitching using embroidery floss, but I think it modernizes these jeans and most importantly will make me happy to wear them again. I used the biggest, sturdiest needle I had and still had to use a piece of that rubber grippy stuff to help me pull it through some of the seams where the fabric is extra thick. It took three or four bundles of floss to do the whole thing and the total cost was only a dollar or two. An easy update for a new season!

Pinterest Tested: Faucet Extender

2012-03-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

You may have seen this week's PIN:

THE TEST: Will this genius little contraption help my toddler wash his hands on his own? How hard is it to make?

My little toddler has a hard time washing his own hands. He has to stand on a stool and then climb up and hang from his belly over the edge of the counter to reach the water. It does not look comfortable at all! So when I saw this Pin, I was interested.

First, here's a look at what mine looks like:

I used an exacto knife to cut off the narrow lid and make the channel for the water. The plastic around the lid was thicker, so it was a little harder to cut through, but this project was easy. It took me about five minutes to make. Five minutes!

One of the concerns I had with this idea was that my toddler would still have a hard time turning the water on and off. He still has to belly hang while he turns the knobs, but then he can slide down and just stand on the stool. He really likes this new contraption. In fact, if there was a negative to this project, that would be it... he wants to play in the water all day because he can actually reach it!

THE RESULTS: A smashing success!

When my husband saw what I had made, he was very impressed with my genius. I should have just let him think I am the brilliant mind behind this idea instead of blurting out, "Oh, I saw it on Pinterest!" Oh, well... I learned my lesson for next time!

Photo Clutch Dry Erase Quiet Book

2012-03-23T11:19:00.004-07:00

It seems like there have been several occasions lately where I have been out with friends or with my own family and have watched as kids have been stuck somewhere with nothing to entertain them. I always feel sorry for them! And when it's my own kids, it drives me nuts. So I came up with a solution:You may remember seeing this photo clutch before. I bought it on clearance for just a couple bucks. Now it has been transformed into a little dry-erase quiet book that is just the right size to tuck into my purse.

Here's what the pages look like inside:

I had all these elaborate plans to make things in Photoshop and print them out, but in the end, I just did everything by hand. I think sometimes we fear the imperfections of our own handwriting and sketching. But does it really matter? Not at all! In fact it makes the book all that more unique. I know some of the words are crooked or spaced unevenly. And that's okay.

There are a few sleeves that are still empty. I was too excited to share this idea to wait until I finished them. But some of the ideas I have for them are matching games, word search, and connect-the-dots.

If you don't draw, you could easily find clip art that would work.

I have made a lot of quiet books in my day, but this one was definitely the easiest to put together. It only took a couple of hours. And next time I am out somewhere with a bored kid, I can't wait to whip this bad boy out! Bye bye, boredom!

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

2012-03-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I saw someone on a cooking show make these sandwiches called Monte Cristos. They intrigued me because I never in my life would have thought to put jam on a savory sandwich. But I usually like savory/sweet combinations so I found a recipe and gave it a try.

Wow. Wow. Wow. These sandwiches have become a guilty pleasure for me! I love them! They are the perfect combination of salty ham, melty cheese, crunchy fried batter and sweet jam. Yum!

So here's how I make them...

First, mix up the batter. The recipe is:

2/3 cup water
1 egg
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Then you need to make the sandwiches:

Dip the sandwiches in the batter on both sides. Then set the sandwich down in hot oil and fry until golden brown. Flip to other side and fry again.

To serve, cut sandwich into two triangles, sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with jam. These are best piping hot.

This is what you will end up with:

I only make them once a year or every couple of years, because obviously they are not the most healthy thing in the world, but oh baby are they delicious. Hope you enjoy! What are your guilty pleasure foods?

Make Your Own Half Shirt for Layering

2012-03-13T13:30:00.003-07:00

Love the layered look but not the extra bulk? Here is the solution to your problem: a half shirt. It's an undershirt that goes to just below the bust so there's no extra fabric around your middle. I've seen these around at my local mall, but who wants to pay a ridiculous price for half of a shirt? Not me! Especially when I've got plenty of good candidates for chopping in my closet already.

Are you ready to learn how to make one? This is the easiest project ever. Really. All you need is a stretchy t-shirt you want to turn into a half shirt, a pencil and a pair of scissors. Try it on and make a mark under your bust line where you'd like the shirt to end. Now cut a straight line across at your mark. And that is it! See? I told you this was THE EASIEST PROJECT EVER!
You don't need to hem the shirt or add a band... your bust will hold the shirt in place for you! I can't tell you how much more comfortable it is to wear a shirt under a sleeveless dress without all that extra fabric riding up in the middle. Or to have a little bit of camisole peeking out at the neckline without extra bulk.
Really, you have to try it. Half shirts are one of the best inventions ever!

Cut Green Onions The Easy Way

2012-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

So now that you are regrowing store-bought green onions, want to know the easiest way to cut them? I learned this trick from a friend a few years ago, and it was one of those moments that I said to myself, "Why didn't I think of that?!"

It's so easy. See for yourself:

Use kitchen scissors! So much quicker and easier than using a knife!

Pinterest Tested: Growing Green Onions

2012-03-05T07:00:00.002-08:00

Welcome to Pinterest Tested! Ever wonder if that miracle cleaner is really miraculous? Or what about that homemade facial cleanser or delicious-looking recipe? This is the place to find out! Each Monday I am testing Pins that catch my eye to see if they really live up to the claims made on Pinterest. It's like the Mythbusters of Domesticity!

This week I am testing THIS PIN:The Pin description says, "The next time you have green onions, don't throw away the white ends. Simply submerge them in a glass of water and place them in a sunny window. Your onions will begin to grow almost immediately and can be harvested almost indefinitely. We just use kitchen scissors to cut what we need for meals. I periodically empty out the water, rinse the roots off and give them fresh water."

THE TEST: Can I get my store-bought green onions to grow indefinitely?

About three weeks ago, I put my green onions in a mason jar on the window sill. This is what they look like now:
THE RESULT: Two thumbs up for this Pin. It definitely works!

I have been snipping off parts of this bunch for three weeks now and they are growing faster than I have been cutting them. I followed the suggestions and change the water out when I remember. One thing I do want to warn you about....the old water smells SO GROSS! But it's only a problem for the 30 seconds I am dumping out the water and adding fresh water. No biggie. But seriously, that water stinks!

Next time you buy green onions, you've got to try this one out!

Pinterest Tested: Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

2012-02-27T07:29:00.005-08:00

And it turns out dishwasher detergent is even easier because there’s no soap grating involved. The hardest part was opening all the little packets of lemonade!

I mixed one box Borax, 1 box washing soda, and 24 packets of lemonade together in an ice cream bucket and done. Easy! Some recipes called for 3 cups salt, some didn’t. I decided to leave it out. No scientific reason…. I just didn’t remember to get it at the store and didn’t want to make an extra trip. You can substitute ½ cup citric acid for the lemonade, but I couldn’t find any at the stores near me. Besides, how fun is it to make soap that has Kool-Aid in it?!

An important part of this recipe is using white vinegar as a rinse aid. It keeps the dishes from getting that white film. I unscrewed the little round lid of the rinse aid, poured some into the hole until it reached the fill line, then screwed the lid back on. Again, this was so easy!

I am going to use one tablespoon of detergent for every load of dishes.

Here’s the cost breakdown:
Borax: $3.38
Washing Soda:$3.17
Lemonade: $2.88 ($0.12 per packet)
Total:$9.43

I measured it out and it’s enough for 236 loads of dishes if I use one tablespoon each time, making it 4 cents per load compared to the price of store-bought detergent (about 14 cents per load). If I wash one load of dishes per day, this homemade detergent would save me $36 per year. If I wash two loads of dishes per day, it saves me $73 per year! Not bad, not bad!

So how has it been working? I’ve used it on four loads of dishes now and can’t tell a difference from the expensive Cascade I was using before. Seems like a winner to me!

THE RESULTS: Works as well as what I have been using and it saves me a dime every time I wash a load of dishes (which will add up quick with as many loads as I seem to do!) And bonus: it was really easy to make!

ETA: Now that I've been using this detergent for a little longer, I am liking it less and less!!!I am noticing the white filmy stuff is building up on my glass plates. My sister also made this detergent, but she used citric acid instead of lemonade. She hasn't had any problems with cloudy dishes. That tells me that it's time to search around town for citric acid! I've heard I may have some luck at the pharmacy. We shall see...

Teeny Tiny Zebra Shoes

2012-02-25T18:07:00.009-08:00

I have a friend who is expecting a baby and she is so sick. She vomits constantly and finally had to be hooked up to a feeding tube and monitored by a home health nurse. Poor thing! My sister went through a similar experience about a year ago, so I have seen how hard a situation like this can be. I wondered how I could help my sweet friend and realized that the best thing I can do is give her a reminder of the reward at the end of the suffering.

Do you think these will help?

These little fabric shoes are so teeny tiny and adorable that I just know they will remind my friend of the baby she is working so hard for.

I used the pattern found here. The only change I made was to add the ruffle up the front of each toe. Because ruffles make everything cuter, right?!

The Perfect Chocolate Cookie

2012-02-21T20:05:00.005-08:00

For several years now I have been looking for the perfect chocolate cookie. I have made many different recipes and none of them were what I was looking for. The biggest requirement was a thick, chewy, soft cookie and it seemed like every recipe I attempted ended with flat, crispy disappointment. I actually gave up the search for a while. Last night, in a moment of chocolate-craving weakness, I decided to give it one more try with a recipe I found here.

SUCCESS! In a big kind of way!

Look at these little mounds of deliciousness:
These cookies really are what I have been dreaming of. They stayed thick and soft and are so decadent that a glass of milk is practically required to eat one.

So do I have you salivating yet? Do you want the recipe?

First I have to share with you the key to my success… before baking up the whole batch of cookies, I baked one test cookie. I am glad I did because I followed the original baking instructions and burned the bottom of my cookie! So I adjusted the cooking time and temperature and tried one more cookie, which turned out perfect. Then I was confident in filling up the pan and baking the rest of the dough up. By baking one test cookie, you will be able to adjust baking temperature and time to what will work best for you.

The Perfect Chocolate Cookie
1 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 ¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup cocoa powder (I used a good quality milk chocolate Ghirardelli)
2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (I added about 2 tablespoons extra flour)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups chocolate chips (I used jumbo Guittard milk chocolate chips)
1 gallon milk (I am not kidding when I say you’re going to need it)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. The original recipe calls for a 350 degree oven, but I lowered the temperature because my test cookie burned. Combine butter and sugar and beat for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Blend in eggs one at a time. Add cocoa powder. By hand, add flour, salt and baking powder until just incorporated. Do not overwork the dough. Fold in the chocolate chips. Divide dough into 12-15 pieces and roll into balls. Flatten slightly and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-13 minutes. (Again, this will depend on how your test cookie came out…the original recipe said 16-20 minutes). Be careful not to over-bake or the cookies will dry out. I would pull them out the minute the tops are no longer gooey looking. But trust me… just do a test cookie and then you’ll be much better able to guess how long to cook the rest of the batch.

These cookies were delicious right out of the oven when the chocolate chips were still ooey-gooey. They were also delicious when I had one for breakfast this morning. Hee hee! I like to put them in the microwave for 10 seconds just to warm up the chocolate again.

If you try this recipe, will you tell me how it came out for you? I am convinced that it is the best chocolate cookie recipe out there and I wonder if others will have the same success.

Pinterest Tested: Cleaning Cookie Sheets

2012-02-20T07:34:00.002-08:00

Welcome to Pinterest Tested! Ever wonder if that miracle cleaner is really miraculous? Or what about that homemade facial cleanser or delicious-looking recipe? This is the place to find out! Each Monday I am testing Pins that catch my eye to see if they really live up to the claims made on Pinterest. It's like the Mythbusters of Domesticity!

This weeks' Pin shows some amazing before and after shots of how to get that orange/brown gunk off baking sheets.
THE TEST: Can I remove build-up from my baking sheet by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

Here's what my pan looked like before and after the solution:
Yeah. Not much change, huh?!

You know what worked way better? An SOS pad and a whole lot of elbow grease: ***ETA: I just noticed that I put the "before" and "after" labels BACKWARDS on this picture! Obviously the nice shiny side is the "after"... sorry about that!

The SOS pad does scratch the surface a bit, but my pan already had scratches from years of cutting brownies and homemade pizza, so I figured what's a few more?

THE RESULT: Bummer. The gunk did NOT magically loosen up using the cleaning solution. I don't think it helped remove the build-up at all. If you want clean pans, you're going to have to scrub till your arm cramps to get that orangey crud off.

Deep Thoughts on Cleaning House

2012-02-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

Let's face it... cleaning house stinks. It feels like the never-ending bane of my existence. I do the dishes only to have the sink pile up with more dishes two seconds later. If I wanted my floor to stay clean, I would have to vacuum at least fifty times a day. It can be so discouraging.

I have a friend. Imagine with me the cutest little old grandma you have ever seen. She keeps her silver hair in a perfect pouff, has formal old-fashioned manners, wears slacks and blouses at all times, and always gives high-fives to my toddler. She said something to me the other day that has been stuck in my mind. She said we young ones have forgotten a really important part of cleaning house. In her sweet grandma way, she said, "When you finish cleaning something, step back and say, 'Well, now. Doesn't that look nice?!' "

So I have been trying her advice. Instead of just scrubbing everything down and walking away, I stop and look at the difference I have made in my home. I think in my best grandma voice, "Well now. Doesn't that look nice?!" and enjoy the fruits of my labors for a few minutes before moving on.

The laundry still piles up and the tub still needs scrubbing, but I am trying to notice that what I do does matter and is contributing to making my home a place where my family is happy.

And to prove that it works, I am posting a picture of my hall closet. You just look at that and tell me the "after" doesn't make you want to smile and say, "Well, now. Doesn't that look nice?!"

Pinterest Tested: Pop Pop Popcorn!

2012-02-13T07:35:00.002-08:00

Welcome to Pinterest Tested! Ever wonder if that miracle cleaner is really miraculous? Or what about that homemade facial cleanser? Does it work? This is the place to find out! Each Monday I am testing Pins that catch my eye to see if they really live up to the claims made on Pinterest. It's like the Mythbusters of Domesticity!

This week I am testing two coordinating Pins:

Brown Bag Microwave Popcorn

Marshmallow Popcorn

THE TEST: Does it work to pop popcorn in a brown paper sack in the microwave?
So this Pin says that you can just throw some kernels into a brown bag and pop them in the microwave without any oil, no air pop machine needed. I was skeptical, but my husband was even more skeptical. He swore this wouldn't work...something about the science behind popping and how you need to oil to make the kernels pop correctly. It took me some serious convincing to get him to even try it!

Guess what? It worked like a dream! And we've made several batches of popcorn lately... to test out the method, of course. Ahem.

THE RESULT: Perfect popcorn without any added oil---and it's much cheaper than buying popcorn in bags.

Now for the next Pin which will totally undo the benefits of popping the popcorn without any oil.

THE TEST: Marshmallow popcorn recipe. Any good?

Two brown paper sacks of popcorn, 1 stick butter, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 bag mini-marshmallows is all that stands between you and a little piece of heaven.

THE RESULT: If Rice Krispie treats and caramel corn had a baby, this is what it would be. And the dangerous thing is that the ingredients are cheap and it only takes about ten minutes to make. What more could you want in a recipe?! Yummy!

40 Sucks Birthday Present

2012-02-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

It's my brother-in-law's 40th birthday this week and of course there has been a little teasing going on. Okay, a lot of teasing. So when I saw THIS post at Sisters Stuff, I knew it was the perfect gift for him.

Here's how mine turned out:

I punched 40 holes into the lid of a small cardboard box using this tool:

If you haven't used one before, this is a handy little tool. The tip is interchangeable and you just place the tool where you want the hole, then tap the end with a hammer until it punches through. Now you can punch holes anywhere on a paper, not just as far in as your hole punch will reach.

Anyway, back to the project...

After making 40 holes, I covered everything with scrapbook paper, stuck 40 Chupa Chups into those 40 holes, and made the signs. Easy present, but it seriously cracks me up.

And have you ever had a Chupa Chup sucker? They are tasty!

A Cute Way to Patch Jeans

2012-02-09T19:39:00.001-08:00

It's about that time of year... you know, when all your kid's school jeans start wearing through at the knee. What do they do at school that makes their clothes come home so destroyed?! Honestly!

I've tried several different patching methods and this is the one I think turned out the cutest.

Materials Needed:
- Jeans with holes in the knees. If you have kids, you should have plenty of these hanging around.
- Extra fabric. I used denim from an old pair of pants I found in my "turn-these-into-a-denim-quilt-someday" pile.
- Fabric glue. I used Alene's because that's what I had on hand.
- Thread. Choose something that coordinates or a bright fun color. It's up to you!

Step 1: Trace a pattern onto the denim over the hole you want to patch.
Step 2: Cut out a square/rectangle of the extra fabric. Make sure the extra piece of fabric completely covers up the design you'd like to cut with plenty of overlap.

Step 3: Use the fabric glue around the edges of the rectangle to secure it to the inside of the pants. Make sure it lines up and completely covers the design you've traced. Don't put glue in the middle of the rectangle because that part of the fabric will show on the front when you're done.
Step 4: When the glue is dry, stitch through both thicknesses of fabric around the design you drew, leaving about 1/4 distance between your stitches and the line.

Step 5: This is a crucial step. CAREFULLY cut out along the line you drew, ONLY cutting through the top layer (the original pant fabric). DO NOT cut through both layers of fabric or you will defeat the whole purpose of this project and will end up with holes in the knees. Make sense?
The jeans pictured haven't been washed yet, but when they do, the denim around the heart design will fray and look even cuter.

Now hopefully you'll have a pair of pants that will last until June!