Lemon Cupcakes

Lemon cupcakes are so fun for summer parties. If you're looking for a simple, reliable, and yummy-licious lemon cupcake recipe, this is one of my favorites!
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup milk
3 T lemon zest
3 T lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
Mix ingredients in the order listed. I used baking cups in a muffin pan and baked for 20-23 minutes in a 340F oven. This recipe makes 30-32 cupcakes. I frosted them with lemon butter cream frosting and added a few sprinkles of colored sugar - yummy and pretty!
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
4-5 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 T lemon juice (I squeezed 1 lemon)
1 tsp lemon zest
3 T half-n-half or a little more until smooth consistency
colored sugar for decoration is optional
Mix butter and powdered sugar, then add liquid ingredients until frosting is smooth. You can use a decorator bag or just use a knife to frost your cupcakes.
 

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Homemade Air Freshener

Welcome to my crazy week! I have too many projects right now with final party decorations, our wood floor is being installed which means my dining room table is in the kitchen (not a good thing), baking cupcakes and cookies, trying to finish my garden, working at my day job, and guests arriving tonight (won't they be surprised at this disaster - good thing it's my sister and her family because they'll understand!) If you've been following us for awhile you know I've been planning details of the graduation party but it seems like there are always last minute items to work on. Today I completed the most simple and fast little project that I've put together in a long time. I've seen this idea on pinterest and many blogs, so I tried it my way and it worked!
You will need:
A jar or container
Baking soda
Essential oil
I filled my jelly jar about halfway full with baking soda and added 25 drops of orange essential oil. I picked orange because it's fresh and reminds me of summer but you can use any kind. Put the lid on your jar and shake for about 30 seconds. I removed the lid and placed a doily over the top, put the outside rim back on the jar and over the doily, then added a ribbon around the rim. It smells great, I'm going to make a couple more for the bathrooms. When you're jar doesn't smell anymore, you can add a teaspoon of cinnamon and use the mixture to clean your sinks. Just like grandma used to say, "waste not, want not." Have a wonderful weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Homemade Clay

With summer soon approaching and kids being out of school, it won't be long before we will all be hearing "I'm bored!" Here is a fun, easy project for all ages to get involved in making, playing or both...unless you're a teenager, they just won't admit they are having fun!  I know there are lots of recipes for clay and play dough, I think I have tried most of them. This is one of my favorites for clay. This is a super soft dough, easy to clean up, and little hands can squeeze and mold it. It will harden if you leave it out or it can be dried in the oven.  We just keep ours in a bag in the cupboard, or the fridge if it's warm. It will last a few weeks in an airtight bag or container.

This recipe was adapted from argocornstarch.com. It makes about 2 pounds (about 6, small fist, sized balls) but can easily be halved.

Here's what you need:

• 1 c cornstarch
• 2 c baking soda
• 1 1/4 c cold water
• 1 T oil 
• food coloring is optional

In medium saucepan stir cornstarch and soda. Add water and oil all at once and stir until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until it's the consistency of slightly dry mashed potatoes.  It will come to a boil and start to thicken, it will be lumpy at first and then hold it's shape. Turn out onto a heat proof surface like a cutting board and cover with a damp cloth until cool enough to handle. Then knead on a surface covered with cornstarch until it's soft and pliable.  You can leave it white if you want to make projects and paint them or you can knead in a few drops of food coloring.  My son made a handle for a small pitcher that had been broken, it took about a day to air dry. If you want to dry it in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and then turn off. Place undecorated items on a rack on a cookie sheet and place them in the oven until it's cold. Have fun!

~Simply Angie

Homemade Maple Syrup

It's happened to me more than a few times, you'd think I'd figure it out but let's just say I'm easily distracted and sometimes I forget to update my grocery list! This is what happens, I prepare my homemade pancakes (previously posted) for Sunday brunch, they are fluffy and beautiful and I reach for the syrup and realize there are 5 drops of syrup in the bottle! But now, rather than panic, I make my own pancake syrup. I remember my mom making this, so I thought I would try it and guess what? It works and it tastes great!  I usually buy organic maple syrup for about $7.00 a bottle. This is cheaper to make even if you use organic ingredients. It's about the same consistency as real maple syrup. So give it a try and enjoy!
1 3/4 c white sugar (I use organic cane sugar)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 c water
2 Tbls honey
1 tsp maple extract or flavoring
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Heat the sugars, honey and water in a small pan on the stove. Let the mixture come to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the stove and cool slightly for 10 minutes. Add the extracts and even a little butter if you want, then stir. Make sure you serve it warm so it soaks into your pancakes, so yummy! I store mine in a glass jar in the refrigerator and heat it slightly before serving. This makes 2 cups of syrup.
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Simply Homemade Maple Syrup