Projects for Vacation

So, I leave for vacation up at the Lake House in T minus 7 days. It's going to be me, my brother, my sister-in-law and my Dad.  I'm looking forward to a week off work, including plenty of reading and beach time. But I also want to work on some projects while I'm up there. But now the issue is deciding on which ones!

Some of the projects are going to be food related. I've been wanting to make tamales for some time now. But they are time consuming and are best when there is more than one person around, both to make them, and to eat them.

Since I'm doing gluten free and my brother and sister-in-law are vegans I was thinking about doing a version of this Caramelized Onion with Red Pepper Tamale (without the cheese). Other than that, I haven't decided on what other food we should have (ie anybody has any really good recipes send them my way).

But what I really need is a project I can do in less than a week that doesn't require me moving too many things. Part of me wants to do this bath rug from old towels but I'm worried about getting it back home if I don't get it finished in time. Or, I was thinking about making these cool coasters using tiles but that project doesn't seem like it's long enough!

So, basically I need somebody to come up with a good project that I can take with me to work on when I'm at the vacation house. So, on your mark, get set, go!

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls

Ok, first posted project.  Peanut Butter Popcorn balls.

For my Mom's 60th birthday I put together a large box full of homemade goodies. My goal for this year has been to buy as few presents as possible. Everybody I know has way more stuff than they need.  Plus I enjoy the having projects to do. This was one of the final items in the box.

I decided to try popping my own popcorn on the stove. I've watched my roommate do it a number of times and decided it couldn't be that hard. It took me two attempts (but only because the first attempt turned out so well that I had to eat it).  This method is great! No burned pieces and very few unpopped kernels.  

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls:

For the Popcorn:

1/3 Cup Unpopped Popcorn
2 Tbsp Canola Oil
1/2 Tsp Salt

For the Popcorn Balls:

1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons butter

First, pop the popcorn. I used Alton Brown's popcorn method. After the popcorn has cooled, make the peanut butter syrup.

Place the corn syrup, sugar, and cream of tarter in a large saucepan. Insert a candy thermometer and heat until the softball stage.   Do not stir the syrup while it is heating.

After it reaches softball stage, remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Stir in the baking soda and butter. Stir until the peanut butter and butter and melted and everything is combined.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the popcorn. Stir to combine. Wearing plastic gloves, quickly form the peanut butter popcorn mixture into balls. The mixture will be hot! Let the balls stand to cool. Once cool, cover in plastic wrap. Now ship them to your momma!

Note: When I made these I used  1/2 cup unpopped popcorn and 3 tbsp canola oil. The syrup to popcorn ratio didn't quite seem right. I would try the 1/3 cup of unpopped corn next time.

 

Where I contemplete making a table out of pennies.

I saw a picture of this on facebook recently and thought "that looks amazing! I can do that!" But, the truth is, I can't. And for the sake of any possible resale value of any condo I ever buy, it would be better if I don't.

But I can do this. A table covered in pennies. How cool would that be for an coffee table?








But in order to be truly economical, I am only going to use pennies that I find (or had in my purse at the time of writing).  Or, pennies found by my friends. So, friends! Get to finding. The post I found said that it took about $35.00 dollars worth of pennies to make their desk. Which means 3500 pennies. I currently have 22 "found" pennies. And since the actual completion of this project won't be until well after I move, I figure I have about six months to find the rest.

So friends, start looking for pennies! I'm going to start a coffee can collection (though I guess that means I might have to make coffee out of a can, I'm not sure how I feel about that). So, any time you stop by or come over for dinner, bring me those found pennies!

Where I set out my plans.

I have become obsessed with Pintrest.

I have just passed the three month mark on my short sale offer. As of Friday, I extended the contract two weeks. With this impending purchase and move has come an increased interest in all things crafty and DIY. I am determined to love all of the furnishing and decorations in my new place. I'm tired of old college furniture and hand me downs. However, I am a girl on a Federal Government salary so I have to be frugal.

So I have decided to learn how to be a crafty person. I am going to attempt to make as much as my storage, decorations, and furnishings as possible. I'm sure I'm going to fail some but I sure am going to try!

This blog is going to be my witness!

Oh, and I also make Candy. and lots of food in general. Hence the name. :-)