Homemade Crockpot Carmel Sauce

Wanna show off this holiday season?! Of course you do! Look like you worked in the kitchen all day juggling a candy thermometer --- but really it just takes a few minutes of prep. This is the easiest recipe I have tried to make for amazing homemade carmel sauce. It would be great on ice cream, in holiday cocktails, drizzled over popcorn, or dipping sauce for fall apples! You only need one ingredient, a crockpot, and a few awesome jars.

Things to collect:

-Crockpot

-Jelly jars or other mason jars

-A few cans of sweetened condensed milk

It doesn't matter what brand you use for any of the items, however, I tried a low fat milk... Not good!

After you gather your supplies, just transfer the condensed milk into jars of your choosing. I used small widemouthed 4 oz Ball jars. As long as you have tops, it's up to you! Jelly jars work great too! After pouring sweetened condensed milk into the jars, not quite to the top, place lids. 

Place jars in crockpot water bath. This is easy peasy! Just add water an inch or so above top of jars. Cook your carmel for 6-7.5 hours on low. Always keep water above lids-- this helps seal the jars. The liquid will begin to turn from a creamy color that is runny to a deeper color that is thick.

Check one of the jars to make sure it has reached perfection! It may be slightly chunky- that's OK! Just stir before serving. These make great gifts when packaged thoughtfully. SO freakin' good! And easy. I mean hard. Very very hard. Slave all day hard. I'm so worn out, I may need a scoop of ice cream topped with carmel sauce ;-)

Store in fridge and binge! Happy Holidays!

Rose Sugar Scrub

Rosey Sugar Scrub

During the day to day hustle and bustle of life, I sometimes don’t stay as committed to my beauty routine as I should. One of myfavorite go to treats is a homemade rose-infused sugar scrub. Theres nothing more luxurious then stepping out of the shower with freshly exfoliated, moisturized skin! Keeping your skin exfoliated especially during the cold winter months is key to healthy glowing skin. You can throw this sugar scrub recipe together in less than 5 minutes and it leaves you feeling like you’ve spent the entire day at the spa but without the hefty price tag!! You only need three ingredients to be on your way to smooth, soft and supple skin!!

Ingredients:

    •    1 1/2 cups white sugar

    •    3/4 cups coconut oil 

    •    12 rose petals

Tools: 

    •    Food processor 

    •    Cute jar

Add sugar, oil and rose petals to food processor. Blend ingredients until all the white sugar has turned pink. If you prefer a smoother scrub then add an additional 1/4 cup oil to mixture. Spoon sugar scrub into container and ENJOY!!!

Dollar Store Ornaments

The holidays are just around the corner and every shop in town is decked out! The other day I was walking by this cute but seriously over priced store and couldn't resist popping in. Everything was decked out in Christmas magic - shabby chic, traditional, woodland, and glamorous. In the corner of the shop a glittered ornament caught my eye. It was a cow covered in glitter. Everyone who knows me knows farm animals and glitter  are two of my favorite things! I reached down to snag it off the tree. The ornament was $14! I think not! So, I decided that I could make one from the dollar store. Here it goes. I promise if you make a few, put them on pretty ribbon on the tree, it will look kick ass.

Materials needed:

-Dollar store plastic animal

-Spray paint ( I had this one laying around)

-Matching hue of glitter (found these at dollar store)

-Picture hanging kit (eye hook?)

-Ribbon

Screw the eye hook in to the back of the plastic animal. Spray paint. Cover in glitter while paint is still wet. Allow to dry. Finish with a ribbon and hang. 

Next victim...

California Salata! Fresh Baby!

This salad and I go wayyyy back! When I was about 18 I worked at this quaint little Afghan restaurant in Claremont, CA. They had a gorgeous display case of all their traditional homemade goodies right next to the host stand, it was torture!! After a few months of eating way too many tandoori kabobs and mounds of Afghan fries at 9pm I had to make some healthier substitutions. Thats when I fell in love!

This recipe is a slightly modified take on a traditional Afghan salata. It’s perfect for those days when I’m feeling a little “fluffy” and want something flavorful but light. I nicknamed it “California Salata” because, well us Californians eat avocados with practically everything…except ice cream… that would be weird!! When I want to make this a complete meal I add one of my go to protiens. This dish is quick and easy so it’s a great choice when I need to grab and go!! 

Ingredients:

    •    3 medium tomatoes, diced

    •    2 medium cucumbers, diced

    •    2 lemons

    •    3/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped (about one small bushel)

    •    2 ripe avocados, cub

    •    1 medium red or sweet onion, diced 

    •    Salt and pepper to taste

    •    Grilled shrimp or Salmon (optional)

Directions:

Begin by peeling your cucumbers and remove outer onion skin. Next, chop cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and avocados into 1/4 inchcubes. Set mixture aside in large bowl. Roughly chop the cilantro, I usually just keep the cilantro tied up and slice the head of leaves off to avoid picking every piece off by hand. Add cilantro to veggie mixture. Cut both lemons in half and squeeze juice over the salad (mind the seeds!). Salt and pepper salad to your preference and enjoy this crisp colorful salad!!

Home of the Brave 🗽🇺🇸

Without our Veterans, past and present, our country wouldn't enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank You!!!  

Check out these vintage postcards from the web----

Roasted Garlic & Cranberry Stuffing! Yum!

I'm so excited to have the help of my fellow blogger and gorgeous niece writing for the blog today! She will be sharing her mouth watering recipes and fantastic designs with Farm Girl Fresh Design. 

Hello all!!

My name is Lauren and I love all things crafty and homemade! With the swift passing of Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s a great time to start planning for that upcoming holiday feast!! I don’t know about you, but I LOVE hearing praises like, “That dish was AMAZING!” and “YUMMY, Can I get that recipe?!” One of the staples at our Thanksgiving dinner is my famous Roasted Garlic & Cranberry stuffing. I’m telling you, my family looks forward to this ridiculously good-looking side dish every year. This sweet and savory stuffing will definitely have your loved ones coming back for seconds and since it’s Thanksgiving… maybe even thirds! I can promise your garlic-loving guest will be doubling over with joy after enjoying this classic side dish with a unique twist!!

What you’ll need:

    •    2 box’s of Mrs. Cubbison’s stuffing (1 box of seasoned classic stuffing & 1 box of seasoned corn bread stuffing)

    •    8 garlic cloves, minced ( I have found that using fresh minced garlic cloves vs. pre-packed minced garlic makes a world of difference in your final dish so I use the motto… fresh is best!)

    •    1 1/2 cups cranberries, dried  

    •    2 cups salted butter, melted

    •    2 cups celery, diced (about 1/4 in.)

    •    2 cups onion, diced (about 1/4 in.)

    •    2 cups chicken broth

    •    1 cup apple juice

    •    1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

Makes approximately 14 servings. If you have a smaller gathering just divide all the ingredients in half.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Directions: 

In a large skillet or sauce pan, over medium heat add 3 tablespoons of your 2 c. of melted butter. Add celery and onions, sauté until lightly browned, salt and pepper veggies to preference. Reduce to low-medium heat and add your minced garlic. Garlic will burn quickly if not monitored so keep an eye out and stir often. Cook veggies and garlic until garlic is light brown, about 3 minutes. Set mixture aside.

In large mixing bowl add dried stuffing bits, cranberries, brown sugar, chicken broth and apple juice. I like to gently mix this part by hand to ensure every piece of stuffing gets evenly coated. Add sautéed veggies and remaining melted butter and mix well. Lastly, place stuffing mixture into a non-stick or buttered baking dish and securely apply tinfoil to the top. Bake 20 minutes covered, remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes uncovered or until top is lightly browned. Annnnd wah-lah!! Your very own unforgettable holiday treat!! ENJOY!

Thanks Lauren! I'm going to be making this for our holiday meal!!!

I LOVE the coast

I LoVE the CoaST! JuST thOUGht yOU shOUld KnOW! And shEEp. I LoVE thoSE Too--- CArmEL, CA

Fall has arrived!

So excited that Fall has finally arrived! This warm weather has made it seem like it was never coming! Time to grab a pumpkin spice latte and finish Christmas shopping ;-)

Me Likey! Farm Girl Fresh Favs!

This week my favorite things are:

Meyer's Clean Day Countertop Spray in Geranium! Makes cleaning bearable.

Ariel yoga! 

Need I say more?!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you haven't been... Or haven't visited recently, it is a MUST!

Tea! 100's of different kinds of teas from my new favorite found tea shop in town. Yum!

And...

Pumpkin people! Handmade fabric pumpkin dolls. They are quirky and one of a kind made with love by my sis!

German Chocolate Cake Martini--- @ the Chocolate Bar!

Heaven in a martini glass! Since we have 3 small children at home, date night is a big deal at our house! All you parents know what I'm talking about out there! This is my favorite drink when we go out to a fun place in town called the Chocolate Bar. It is sleek and not kid friendly... perfect for a nightcap after date night. It is like dessert in a glass! My favorite (drum roll please) the German Chocolate Martini. Bam!

The bartender isn't giving up his a secret recipe, but here is one I found that is similar:

1 oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
1 oz. Pecan Liqueur ( Disaronno or Frangelico is a great substitue)
1 oz. Cream de Cocoa (dark)
.5 oz Chocolate Vodka
.5 oz Cake Vodka
2 oz. Half & Half

Put in a shaker with ice, stain, pour, enjoy. Delish!

Wine weekend

We had our first weekend away from our kids! It was SO amazing! 9 years in the making and it was all that and more. Lol. We went with great friends, had great wine, and experienced barrel tasting.

Everyone loves to garden!

Let's start planting!

Sheep blanket

We had another little lamb a few days ago! This little girl has a special knit jacket to help keep warm in the barn! Cutest thing ever- daisy and all! My friend Ashlee knitted it for us. I keep telling her it would be a great business... wool coats for woolly friends ;-)