Homemade Soap

As promised, the post today is one of the most simple ways to make homemade soap. I have other recipes that are more complicated and time consuming but this is the perfect DIY gift project if you want to give something that you've made.
It is getting down to the wire for us with projects and baking. It just wouldn't be normal for me if I actually didn't have too much to do! And then things start happening...like my computer is being weird and I don't like it, then last night the microwave stopped working in the middle of our bake-off. I have mixed feelings about replacing it, do I really need a microwave? Does everyone have a microwave? I don't know, we'll see what happens. Ok - back to the soap... now you know why my family tells me I get distracted easily, yep, I do - haha!!
Supplies:
Goats milk glycerin base soap (I got mine at Michael's)
Essential oil of your choice
Herbs or flowers, dried
Soap coloring (optional)

 

 
 

Directions:
Melt the soap base in a pan on the stove over low-medium heat or use a microwaveable bowl and heat in 30 second increments until it's melted. Add about a dropper of essential oil or about 20 drops. I used lemon, orange and peppermint. My combinations were lemon and lavendar, rosemary and orange, peppermint by itself.
Stir in herbs with a wooden spoon, rosemary or lavender flowers smell and look beautiful. You can give them a rough chop if you want smaller pieces. I also used some soap coloring for some of the soap, otherwise white is pretty too.
Pour the melted soap base into plastic molds or cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
Let harden for at least a couple of hours and gently remove from the mold.
We wrapped ours with plain brown paper, added a homemade tag and pretty little bow.
Have fun and get the kids involved - this is a great project and the soap is wonderful!

 Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

DIY Mug Cozy

For the rest of this week we'll be posting some handmade and homemade gift ideas for all of you last minute gifters! I say this and laugh a little to myself because I am still finishing my knitting projects, sewing projects, baking projects, soap making projects and fifty other things that are on my "to do" list. Thankfully my oldest grand-daughter finished her project early so she is sharing her idea with you. We just finished making goat's milk soap, stay tuned we'll be posting that within the next couple of days.
For a cute little gift project, I bought clear glass mugs at the dollar store or you could also use any glass mugs you already have. Place one serving of hot cocoa mix, Simply Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix, in a baggie and tie the top with a ribbon. I hot glued 2 candy canes together to make a heart shape and placed them inside the mug.
For the little mug warmer, I measured the circumference of the mug and subtracted an inch. If you are a beginner or need knitting instructions, there are some great videos on YouTube. I began by casting on 14 stitches using size 9 knitting needles, I like the knit stitch. After casting off, I sewed 2 buttons on one side and made 2 loops on the other side to button it. You wouldn't need to use buttons, I thought it was a fun little idea but you could just sew the 2 ends together with yarn. That's it...really simple but fun to put together!
Have a great time creating your gifts!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Taco Chili

Cold temperatures and hot soup are a perfect combination for what seems like a never-ending winter! It's easy, delicious and filling and you can adjust the recipe for your taste. It only takes a few minutes to put everything together and if you make extra soup, it tastes even better the next day after all of the flavors have blended together. This recipe makes 6-8 servings.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
1/2 c diced shallots or onion
1 can (14-1/2) oz diced tomatoes with juice
1 can (14-1/2) oz crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
1/2 c water
1 can (15-1/2 oz) navy beans, drained and rinsed (or use black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans)
1 small can diced, green chili peppers
1 can drained whole kernel corn (any size can)
1 package taco seasoning
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp hot sauce (I use Tabasco)
1/2 c. sliced black olives

• Brown ground beef and onions in a large pot over medium heat. 
• Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. 
• Heat until boiling, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour before serving.
• Before serving, add some shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt, black olives.
• Enjoy!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Homemade Chocolate Pie

We have our share of pie lovers in the family so when I suggested chocolate cream pie in addition to some fruit pies for dessert, I wasn't sure how they would feel about that. I was pleasantly surprised, they all wanted chocolate pie! I have issues with cream pies made with egg yolks so I make my chocolate pie filling without them. I always make homemade crust but you could use any crust. It also works great in a gluten-free graham cracker crust. And of course, top it off with a dollop of whipped cream!
Homemade Pie Crust
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c butter, cold and into small pieces
4 T cold water
I used my food processor for the pie crust but you can use a pastry cutter to mix your ingredients. I added all of the ingredients in the food processor and pulsed it a few times before I added the water. Add the water a little at a time, it should look a little crumbly, then it's done.

Remove the dough with your hands and form it into a flattened ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about an hour. If you aren't ready to use the crust that day, you can keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to make your pie. (Let it sit out for about 30 minutes before you roll it out if you have left it in the refrigerator overnight).

Roll unto flour sprinkled parchment paper until the crust is about 1/4 inch thick. Fold the crust in half, then in half again and place it in your pie plate. I used a 9 inch pie plate. Unfold and using your fingers remove the excess dough around the rim. I leave about an inch or so and fold it around the top of the pie plate, then lay my finger sideways to flute the edges. I don't worry about it being perfect...after all it's a homemade crust! I always place the crust in the refrigerator for an hour or two, until its cold. For the cream pies, I bake my crust at 350F for 20 minutes. When the crust has cooled, you can add your filling.

Chocolate Cream Filling:
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c cocoa, unsweetened
2 c milk
1/2 c half-n-half or heavy cream
1/4 c cornstarch
1/2 c milk chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
Combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, milk and half-n-half in a medium saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Reduce heat to low and stir while it thickens. Once it is thick, remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla. Pour into your baked pie shell. Cover with plastic wrap (over the top of the pie filling) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Enjoy your rich, delicious chocolate cream pie!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi