French Mint Pies

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I'm going to start out this post with a disclaimer.  This recipe involves raw eggs.  If you don't care, or can get your hands on fresh eggs (which is what prompted me making these delicious morsels) read on.  If you can't get over the raw egg thing, I understand, BUT you are missing out ;).

These have always been a family favorite and we had them a fair bunch growing up, but since there have been more and more problems with eggs, and we didn't have access to chickens, we get them less and less.  When I ended up with 18 fresh eggs at swim lessons last week, I immediately knew I was going to go home and whip some up.

So, for a super easy, perfect summer treat (and it's def summer here, we made it to 110 today and it felt like it), I give you French Mint Pies.

How to pick a Watermelon

As summertime is upon us (we'll some of us, it might be snowing in Utah again this week), it seems the question on every ones mind is "How do I pick the perfect watermelon?".

Well, I might not have all the answers, but Jenni was told a tip a couple years ago that seems to work better than any others I've heard.  You want to find the watermelon with the smallest circle on the side opposite the stem.

This part.

When I cut into the watermelon, it was the perfect red inside and sweet and delicious.

One of my children ate 1/4 the watermelon all by himself.  I do not recommend allowing 4 year olds to do this for dinner however, it was way too close to bedtime (resulting in 4 bathroom trips later before 10pm).  But really, I can't blame him for eating so much.

If you try out this method, I'd love to hear if you have the same success with it I have.

Marshmallow Eggs

Making marshmallow eggs for Easter has been a family tradition since I was a child and that was years ago. I remember making them with my mom and now I am making them with my grandkids. While in AZ last week we made them with Carrie and Kimie’s kids. It was lots of fun and the kids loved it.

Beef and Broccoli and CSN Winner!

In my house, my husband likes steak (I know, most do) and my kids LOVE broccoli.  It's the one vegetable I can always get all 3 of them to eat, so the combination of both is usually a big hit for dinner.  I adapted (meaning changed out the broccoli for peppers) this recipe from a Taste of Home cookbook.  It's incredibly easy and made from normal ingredients, and if you don't want to make anything else, it works as a full well rounded meal.

Sugar Cookies!

Sugar cookies seem to be a treat that can be made year round but always make an appearance at my house around Valentine’s Day!  Nothing like a big soft sugar cookie shaped like a heart covered in frosting and sprinkles to show you love someone!  I don’t have very good step by step pictures on this one because I had some “help” but it is an easy recipe. 

Peppermint Chocolate Kettle Corn and what to do with ruined fudge

As I'm sure most of you are, we are all right in the middle of tons of baking goodness, none of which is the least bit healthy.  But man does it taste good.  I found a Peppermint Kettle Corn I could buy, but thought, we could do that.  So while my mom was in town this last week, we spent one afternoon just making goodies. 

For our base of Kettle Corn, we use Our Best Bites recipe (LOVE that site).  My mom has this really nifty Whirley Pop thing that makes Kettle corn a breeze, but if you don't have one, review their recipe to get you to the point of having the popcorn popped.

World’s Best Fudge!

These past couple weeks have been lacking posts due to other obligations so I will fill in with a holiday treat I just made.  My mom has the best fudge recipe ever and has taught all of us girls how to make it.  It seems that the fudge is usually only made during Christmas time to be given away to neighbors and friends so we all look forward to this time of year (unless we are all together during the summer and get bored so decide to make fudge and then watch a movie while it sets up, then start to wonder where our 3 year old girls are when they show up saying “MMMMMMMMMM” with chocolate all over their faces and BIG spoonfuls of fudge missing from the pan…even the little ones know how good it is!)

GINGERBREAD HOUSES

It’s finally the Christmas season. I will admit I’m one of those that gets excited when the stores start putting Christmas out even though it isn't’ even Halloween. I bought Trudi some ornaments I found the first of Oct. They were perfect for her tree so I had to do it. Then every time I go to a store I go through the Christmas isles again and again. As I cleaned house on the Mon. before Thanksgiving I figured I might as well put fall away and Christmas out as I took things off to dust. I LOVE Christmas!!!!

One of our family traditions is making gingerbread houses. I am going to make them with the grandkids this year. But since they all live a ways apart we will be doing it multiple times. I’m so excited, it will be so much fun.

Cranberry Relish

Cranberries are a must at Thanksgiving and this recipe was shared with me from my Mother-in-law who received it from her Grandmother.  I love recipes that have been in families forever.  I can only make this recipe when I have others to share it with or before I know it, I have eaten it all.  I guess it is okay since it is healthy!

Cheese Ball

Every Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember, my family has had a cheese ball for an appetizer.  I have introduced it to my in-laws as well because to me Thanksgiving just isn’t the same without a cheese ball!  I have seen many recipes for cheese balls before but none of them are the same as ours.  I don’t know where my mom got the recipe but where ever it was, we like it!  (Picture doesn’t look very appealing but believe me, it is good!)

Apples, Apples and More Apples

A couple weeks ago my favorite grocery store had all types of apples on sale for real cheap.  With the crisp morning air bringing in the feeling of fall, I went crazy and bought LOTS of apples.  We have been happily eating them but I have noticed that a few of them are starting to get soft so I decided to do some baking!

Spinach Dip

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the appetizers and my favorite is spinach dip. We make it every thanksgiving and it is always the first thing i go for.

Crab Dip

Yesterday, I spent hours upon hours (well at least one) mixing up Royal Icing and making Batman emblems for my 3 year olds birthday this morning.  I was out of wax paper, no big deal, I just pulled out freezer paper and made them on those instead.  I woke up this morning to peel them off, and they failed miserably.  My guess is the freezer paper doesn't breath and they never fully dried out, but in all honesty, I only say that to sound smart, I have no idea what I did wrong.  So, before 10 am I frantically made up a Batman logo pick and stuck those in the top instead.  Even though I was super stressed with getting it all done, I will admit, I almost think they turned out cuter.  So, if you are ever in a bind and want a SVG file to cut out Batman picks with your Cricut (or Sillouette, I think), let me know, I'd be happy to shoot one over.  Heck, I'll even send it to you if you aren't in a bind ;).

Now you may be asking yourself, what does this have to do with crab dip.  Nothing, I just thought I'd share a piece of my morning with you.  Now onto the crab dip.  We first tried this recipe last Thanksgiving and everyone LOVED it.  I found the recipe in a Taste of Home cookbook.  When I made it again for dinner last night, we ate it first, and almost didn't care about dinner.  The best part is, it's super easy too.

Lemon Meringue Pie

I grew up with pies as a main dessert when the family got together. My grandfather loved cherry pie so we were all taught how to make pies. That is where I get my love for pies. I am picky though when it comes to the crust. I love homemade crust. Our recipe for that is included today.

This is one of the easiest pies to make if you do the lemon filling in the microwave. It is also my favorite, I never get tired of it.

Taco Soup

It has just been one of those weeks and I woke up this morning remembering it was my turn to post and I didn't have anything ready.  I don't have any pictures to go along with my post, just a recipe (maybe I will add a picture on Sunday after I make dinner).  Over the last few years I have made it tradition to make Taco Soup for Halloween.  This recipe is my "don't want to cook dinner" recipe and it is healthy so that's alright, right?  Halloween is just around the corner so this is on my menu and thought maybe it could be on yours too and maybe become tradition like me.

Taco Soup:
1 pound Hamburger (when I am in a REALLY big hurry, I forget the hamburger and it is still just as yummy)
1 Onion, chopped
1 can Corn, drained
1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed if desired
1 can Small Red Beans, drained and rinsed if desired
1 package Taco Seasoning (I buy mine in bulk at Sam's Club and use about 1/4 a cup)
1 quart Tomatoes (we bottle our own but canned also works great)
Chili Powder to taste (I usually put about 2 tbsp in)

Cook hamburger and onions.  Add remaining ingredients.  Let simmer for 30 minutes to let flavors mix.  Serve with sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Bread

With fall in full swing, nothing is better then my house full of the wonderful smell of pumpkin baking in the oven!  I love fall and everything about it, mostly the food.  This pumpkin bread recipe was first introduced to our family by a family friend.  It is super yummy and easy to make.

CARAMELS

As the seasons turn to fall it means it’s time for CARAMELS.  Thanks to a friend (Shannon) I found the best and easiest caramel recipe ever. Actually I make them year around but always for all the fall holidays. It has become one of our families favorite candies.

Come on in!

Welcome to Houseful of Handmade!  First off, what to expect.  There are 7 of us all together (1 mom and 6 sisters).  We will have a fun new tutorial or project posted every other day, all taking turns.  We plan to provide mostly tutorials and how to's, but will also have other things thrown in once in a while.  As far as posting days, they will go as follows;

Sheri: Sunday

Carrie: Tuesday

Kimie: Thursday

Trudi: Saturday

Missy: Monday

Kati: Wednesday

Jenni: Friday

Wash, rinse, repeat, or something like that.

All posts should be labeled with the name of the sister (or mom) that posted it, so if you are looking for projects done by one particular person, simply find their name in the list on the side and click on it.

We are very excited about getting started and have lots of fun projects planned for the upcoming holidays, from crafts and decor, to an entire Thanksgiving dinner.  

As our first official tutorial, I'm going to share our super tasty, super gooey, super easy favorite caramel popcorn recipe.  I have no idea where this recipe came from, we've just always had it, and always been making it.  So make up a bowl and get ready for the fun to kick off this Sunday with a fun fall project!

Caramel Popcorn

1 1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 c corn syrup

2 cubes butter or margarine

2 tsp vanilla

About 1 1/2 cups un-popped popcorn

Pop enough popcorn to fill a large bowl, I recommend an air popper, but you could use microwave popcorn as well, I'd go for light over buttery stuff for that though.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter (or margarine) in a large pot.  You will need lots of extra room to prevent boiling over.  

Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 2 min. 

Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Stir till combined and pour over your bowl of popcorn.  When you do this, avoid scraping the sides of the pan to prevent it from going sugary on you.

Stir till combined, then enjoy!

Now one more thing.  This is a secret amongst adults only that you must never share with your kids (unless they discover it on their own).  Wait till they go to bed, then flip over the sticky popcorn to get to whats on the bottom, the caramel oozes down and settles in big gooey spoonfuls at the bottom of the bowl.  This super caramel covered corn is best eaten with a spoon and large glass of water, and it's the very best part.

See you Sunday!