Pear Sauce

I've been waiting and it finally happened! Pears went on sale! I love pears but I don't really like to eat them whole because I never know exactly how to keep my fingers my getting sticky. Then I saw a recipe on www.nourishedkitchen.com for pear sauce and I jumped for joy was very happy! It's simply awesome and easy to make!
Directions:

• 6-8 ripe pears (Bartlett or D'Anjou) peeled, cored, and chopped
• 2 vanilla beans (whole)
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Place the chopped pears in a pan and add water but not to the top of the pears, you want enough water so they can cook but not too much so that your sauce will be runny. Simmer over medium heat until they are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, if you have too much water you can spoon some of it off the top. Remove the cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans. Mash with a potato masher until the consistency is smooth (or cool your sauce and use a blender or food processor). Pour into glass jars and refrigerate. I used 8 pears and filled 2 pint jars. Enjoy!

Pear sauce - mmm so good!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Paper Mache Pumpkin Decoration



Pretty Pumpkin



If you haven't been in the first grade for awhile, you may have forgotten how the paper mache process works! It's still a messy project, but I must admit I had fun! You remember my fake pumpkin search from last week? Well, the saga continued and I was still searching for one more pumpkin but I finally gave up! I couldn't find exactly the pumpkin I was looking for so I decided to make my own!

My paper mache pumpkin steps:

Make the paste first using 5 cups of water and 1 cups of flour, you might have to add more flour (consistency of cooked pudding) 

Many paper strips (I used white printer paper because I didn't have newspaper) cut 1 inch wide

One medium size balloon (from the dollar store)

Thin ribbon (or you could use string)

• Pour 5 cups water into a pan and add flour.
• Whisk flour and water and cook for 3 minutes over low-medium heat.
• Pour the mixture into a medium bowl (I used my Pampered Chef batter bowl). It should be smooth.
• Let it cool - it takes about 30-45 minutes.
• While your paste is cooling, cut strips of paper, you'll need about 20 sheets of paper if you're using copy paper.
• To get your pumpkin shape started, blow up your balloon to the size you want your pumpkin, but don't tie it yet.

• To make the ridges for the pumpkin shape: Take your ribbon (or string) and wrap it around the pumpkin. Start at the top where you would tie the balloon, go around the entire balloon and end at the top, add about 4 inches to each end of ribbon (so you can tie it - but don't tie it yet) and cut the ribbon.
• Let the air out of the balloon and cut 3 more pieces of ribbon using the first one as your guide.
• Now, don't panic, this sounds confusing but it's really not hard. Take the bottom ends of the ribbon and tie them together with the top ends of the ribbon (it should resemble a circle).
• Blow up the balloon almost to the size you want, hold the top with your fingers, and with your other hand, slip the ribbon circle over the balloon. Then blow up you balloon slowly, the ribbon should start getting tighter. This is the time when you can adjust the ribbon over the balloon to get the ridges in your pumpkin. When your ribbons are in place, tie your balloon at the top. (Your ribbons ends will be at the top also). Be patient, it might take a couple of tries. It might be helpful if you are having problems to have someone hold the balloon for you while you are adjusting the ribbon. I have also heard of people using rubber bands instead of ribbon or string for this step.
• Ok - that was the worst part. Take a deep breath and enjoy a cup of coffee!
• Start to cover your balloon with the strips of paper, one at a time, dip the paper into the paste. Using your fingers, make sure both sides of the strip are covered, and don't have too much paste on the paper or it will take longer to dry.
• I covered the balloon with one layer of paper, then set it in a large bowl outside in the sun to let it dry. 
• I applied 3 layers of paper strips in total. You want to make sure each layer dries before you apply the next layer. It takes several hours. I let mine sit overnight before I painted it.
• After my pumpkin was dry, I cut the top of the balloon off. When I did that the ribbon pulled away from the sides of the pumpkin so I pulled it out. I don't think you have to do this.
• I looked for something to use a stem for my pumpkin and ended up finding a piece of potpourri that fit in the top perfectly! Use what you have!
• Before I painted I sanded the bottom lightly to make it more even. I left the imperfections of the paper because I like that look. You could lightly sand your pumpkin if you wanted a smooth finish.
• Paint your pumpkin. I used 2 coats of antique white acrylic paint, then finished with mod podge (matte finish) and I topped mine with a doily (of course)!!

almost ready for paint



done!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Quick and Easy Pizza

Running out of ideas for the nights you need to make a quick meal? This is a simple go-to recipe that is quick, easy, and a taste-tester favorite! Use your favorite ingredients or what you have left in your refrigerator before your next grocery shopping event. I'll give you some ideas but the secret is to put it  together using your own favorites!
Putting it together:
1 loaf of french, ciabatta, or Italian bread
1-2 cups pizza sauce, your favorite kind
1 pound ground beef, vegan meat crumbles, pepperoni, Canadian bacon or sausage. (Use any combination or no meat if you want vegetable pizza).
1-2 tsp Italian seasoning
Olives, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, any toppings you like
1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
I started by browning my ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Add Italian seasoning and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Slice your bread loaf in half lengthwise and spoon the pizza sauce on both halves. I used approximately 2 cups of pizza sauce. Layer your ingredients and top with shredded cheese. Bake in a 350F oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and slightly brown. Remove from oven, slice into pieces and serve! We had leftovers so I froze them for the next time! Yummy!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Homemade "Soft Scrub"

This recipe is adapted from the momsaware.org website to make your own soft scrub. I love it! It makes my sinks and tubs sparkle, cleans up my outdoor furniture and my greasy, grimy, stove and burners! You may have to adjust ingredients according to what size container you use.  It should have a similar consistency to the real "soft scrub."

• 1/4-1/2c liquid castile soap-we like Dr. Bronner's
• 1/2-1 c baking soda
• optional: 5 drops of Tea Tree oil (a natural disinfectant/antifungal) or essential oil of your choice
• Add enough water to make a thick paste

I found my bottles at the Dollar store but have seen them in the grocery store also. Add liquid soap first then add soda, add enough water to make a thick paste and shake well to mix.  You will need to shake well before each use. Use directly on surface or put on wet sponge first to clean.

~Simply Angie