Hash Browns in the Waffle Iron

I don't know if any of you have seen this on Pinterest, but it's the simple idea of cooking hash browns in a waffle iron.  I decided to give it a try.  I used dehydrated hasbrowns for the experiment since we have those on hand.  I also decided to pour a little oil in the pan so they would be nice and crispy.  They turned out delicious and were 10 times easier than frying them in the pan because I didn't have to flip them!  Total success.  I will definitely be doing this again.

My Favorite Food Storage Pins of the Week

I love it when I find pins that inspire me to get working in the kitchen.  Check these ones out:

Source: country-magazine.com via Katherine on Pinterest

This pin for bread is salt-rising bread.  It's an old, old pioneer recipe that uses a cornmeal mixture in place of yeast.  I can't wait to try it.

Source: allthingsprovident.blogspot.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: myfoodstoragecookbook.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: homesteadinghomemaker.blogspot.com via Katherine on Pinterest

I love the idea of using applesauce to make fruit roll ups.  Jello is the flavoring.  How easy is that?












Maybe you have had the problem of getting crackers thin enough?  How about using a pasta roller?  I totally want a pasta roller now!











This is an interesting canning recipe to use up zucchini.  It's called pineapple zucchini and can be used in place of crushed pineapple in recipes.  This could make a super healthy sweet and sour sauce.









And who doesn't need these cool storage boxes for jars?

Source: jarbox.com via Katherine on Pinterest

More Fun with Baking Soda

So, here is another pin I made an effort to replicate recently.  (Ok, not really recently, this was back in April.  I'm just a little behind on my posting.)

You would think that we have had enough of baking soda and vinegar based on the volcanoes and our cabbage experiment.  Fortunately, toddlers never find the chemical reaction dull.

Source: Uploaded by user via Katherine on Pinterest

I'd say it was pretty successful.  And easy, which is my standard for any entertainment.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

        

Source: education.com via Katherine on Pinterest

I saw the above pin on Pinterest.  It only takes 3 ingredients, 2 if you skip the essential oil, which I did.  Basically its a mix of one part aloe vera gel and two parts rubbing alcohol.  I threw it together in an empty pump bottle that originally had hand sanitizer in it.

At first I thought that it was too much rubbing alcohol, but I think the consistency is about right.  So how does it compare to the store bought stuff?  Well, the aloe vera has a bit of a residue when you rub it in.  It doesn't dry as quickly as the store bought sanitizer.  But it's aloe vera so it can't be bad for your skin!

Considering that the aloe vera was something I had around the house (I had to buy enough rubbing alcohol to match what I had) it was cheap.  I like cheap.  Will I use it?  Yes, definitely.  Will I do it again?  Eh.

This post is linked at Project Pinterest:

Pin Reviews

I was looking at some of my old pins and realized that there a few that I have tried and never bothered to blog about.  I always like reading other bloggers experiences with testing pins, so I hope you find these helpful.

I saw this pin and knew it would help clean up my sink.  I could have been crafty and made my own cake stand, but I just used my glass cake stand instead.  It works wonders to have a place to stick sponges and soap.

Source: lehiwrights.blogspot.com via Katherine on Pinterest

I used this pin to hang a trivet in my kitchen.  Instead of a safety pin I used a paperclip.  Just hot glued the paperclip in place.  Perfect!

Source: craftaholicsanonymous.net via Katherine on Pinterest

I thought this pin was so clever since I am a canning nut.  The next time I used up a salt container I cut the top off.  The only problem?  I didn't know what to store in the jar!  Lol.

Source: instructables.com via Katherine on Pinterest

I also thought this pin was clever because I have toddlers.  The problem?  Toddlers don't like to have something in between their hand and the popsicle.  Perhaps they like to have it drip down to their elbows . . .

Source: realsimple.com via Katherine on Pinterest

What pins have you tried out lately?

Twisty Ties in a Jar

Source: pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com via Katherine on Pinterest

So this is the latest pin that I attempted to replicate in a desperate effort to entertain my children while simultaneously trying to get something done.

Since I didn't have any pipe cleaners I used twisty ties (see there is more than one use for these things!).  I put them in a mason jar and let the kids have at it.

 

Unfortunately the graham crackers were more entertaining.  Then I realized that part of the problem with the jar was too thick.  You'll notice that the original pin looks like a plastic jar.  Well, we'll have to try that tomorrow.  But I still have my doubts that it will keep them occupied for hours.  But hey, I'd take five minutes.


UPDATE: I just linked this post to Project Pinterest.

Dis-Pinterested Fridge

I was pretty excited when I saw the following pin on Pinterest.  It recommends using Glad Press'n Seal to cover refrigerator surfaces for easy cleaning.  

I finally cleaned out the bottom of my fridge today, but bad news.  The Press'n Seal didn't stick.  I am thinking that the surface must be different.  In any event, I was really bummed.  Oh well, at least I finally wiped my fridge out.

Removing Red Dye from Carpet: Testing the Internet

I have found some great cleaning tips on Pinterest.  So, it got me thinking.  I wonder if the Internet has any great ideas for getting out red dye (i.e. Koo-laid, Crystal Light, etc.) from carpet.  You see I have a very nice area rug.  I also have two toddlers.  Some of the mishaps are years old.  Some are more recent (as in, last week).  You'd think I would learn.

I'll show you the before and after pics and then let you know what I did.  Here is the before picture of the first area I cleaned.  Hopefully you can see the pinkish marks In between he flowers.

BEFORE (AREA 1)

 Here is the after picture.  The pink marks are lighter, but not entirely gone.

AFTER (AREA 1)

Here is the second area I cleaned.  Lots of pink spots.  These were the ones that were really old.

BEFORE (AREA 2)

Here is the area after.  The pink spots are lighter, but I also managed to discolor the tip of a leaf.  And the carpet is lighter where I scrubbed a bit.

AFTER (AREA 2)

Over all this is a good cleaning idea, but proceed with caution.  I was pretty impressed with the amount of old stains that I was able to get up.  But I think I pulled up some of the red ink in my carpet too.

In any event, here is the process.  Use a mixture of 1/2 ammonia and 1/2 water.  Spray or dab over the stain (I scrubbed a bit too and perhaps this was my downfall).  Place a clean rag over the stain and apply a hot iron.  The heat should pull the stain onto the rag.

And it did.  It was pretty impressive.  I found that applying a little extra force with the iron helped.  

 I'd be interested in knowing if this works for anyone else.