Month: August 2018

Civil War Baby Gown

 Hi Sis,

Over the last few days I made Evelyn two baby dresses for the upcoming reenactment. They were rather simple and fast to make, and I sewed them entirely by hand.

The pattern is from Elizabeth Clark, and is used for boys and girls alike. I did not make the pinafore, undergarments, or a sun bonnet yet. She is such a spit up child, I didn’t want to deal with taking off multiple layers and thought my time was better spent making multiple dresses instead of all the layers for one. If I have the time, I will probably make a third and a sunbonnet.

A common question at reenactments is, “Is that a real baby?” So I am sorely tempted to put her in this onsie when we are not yet dressed in our reenacting gear. hehehe

Love,

Jamiegoof

Lemon Blondies

Dear Sis,

Tonight was our monthly reenacting group meeting. As a special treat, one of the members arranged for us to meet at a historical cottage for a picnic dinner before the meeting. We made dessert and brought it along, because William and I share a baking addiction, and a valid excuse presented itself. 

We used our Lime Blondie recipe and just substituted fresh lemon juice and zest.

I almost forgot to get a picture! This was the last cookie and I took the picture just before sharing it with William. Talk about a close call!

Love,

b

Blueberry Buckle

Dear Sis,

Blueberries were on sale last week, so we made scones, ate blueberries until our hearts’ content, and decided to make blueberry buckle before the last few cups spoiled. Blueberry buckle was your signature pastry for a while when you were young. I loved the cake, but the crumble was too dry, so when I looked for a base recipe I looked for one that had a similar cake and a more sugary crumble.

What is Blueberry Buckle? Josh was curious so I explained that it is a coffee cake, which is served at breakfast or brunch. He then asked, “why it isn’t called Blueberry Coffee Cake.” I just laughed, “because it’s not and it’s been that way so long no one remembers why.”

Blueberry Buckle
Serves 9
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 c whole milk
  2. 1/3 c granulated sugar
  3. 1/4 c unsalted butter, melted
  4. 1 egg, beaten
  5. 1/2 t salt
  6. 2 t baking powder
  7. 2 c unbleached flour
  8. 2 c blueberries, fresh
Crumble
  1. 1/2 c dark brown sugar
  2. 1/2 c unbleached flour
  3. 1 t ground cinnamon
  4. 1/4 c unsalted butter, soft
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease and flour a square baking pan.
  2. Whisk together wet ingredients. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold in berries. Spread batter into prepared pan.
  3. Mix together crumble ingredients. Sprinkle over unbaked cake batter.
  4. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cut 3x3 to make 9 servings. Serve warm.
Adapted from Just a Pinch
Adapted from Just a Pinch
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
I froze a few slices so you can have some during your visit next week:)

Love,

b

Banana Pudding Blondie Bars

Dear Sis,

Josh is a big fan! I didn’t love them at first, but we had them four nights in a row, and they grew on me too:)

Banana Pudding Blondie Bars
Serves 9
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Blondie Crust
  1. 1/2 c unsalted butter, melted
  2. 1/2 c dark brown sugar
  3. 1/2 banana, pureed
  4. 1 egg yolk, beaten
  5. 1 t vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 t salt
  7. 1/2 c unbleached flour
Pudding Layer
  1. 2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, soft
  2. 1/2 c granulated sugar
  3. 1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana pudding
  4. 1/2 c whole milk
  5. 1 t vanilla extract
  6. 2/3 c heavy whipping cream
Garnish
  1. banana slices
  2. mini Nilla wafers
  3. whipped cream
Blondie Crust
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a square baking pan with parchment.
  2. Whisk together crust ingredients, one at a time, stirring between additions.
  3. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Cool completely before adding pudding layer.
Pudding Layer
  1. With a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in sugar until smooth. Add pudding mix, milk and vanilla, and beat again until smooth.
  2. In a separate dish, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
  3. Using a rubber spatula, fold into pudding mixture. Spread over blondie crust and chill until set.
Adapted from Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Adapted from Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

William helped make the crust, but he was too busy playing with Daddy to help with the pudding layer:)

Love,

b

Elderberry Jelly

Hi Sis,

Last year our neighbors Fran and Boyd introduced us to elderberry jelly. We liked it so much that we went berry picking and made a big batch of it for ourselves, and for christmas gifts. And boy did we eat it! I made a few dozen jars and we have a grand total of two left. 

With the baby, I had a feeling that driving to the berry farm (about two hours away) and canning was going to be to much this yesr. But, Fran offered to get our berries while she was out pickering theirs, and to help me with the canning and Evelyn!

So, this Wednesday and Thursday we got together and made jelly. It was a lot of fun working with another canner, as we both learned new techniques.

First, Fran showed me a new and much faster technique for shucking elderberries. You put small wire over a bin, and wipe the berries across. They fall into the bin and you toss the woody stalk.

Then, I showed Fran how I make jelly without following a recipe. I think most recipes have to much sugar, so I just add sugar till I get the taste I like, and pectin until it thickens as it needs to. I test how jelly it is by letting a few drops cool in the freezer for a few mintutes and see if I like the consistancy. 

I also don’t just cook down my berries, I blend them and in run them through a seive. Fran, said this would actually give me more natural pectin from the fruit. I had never gave that any thought.

Fran also showed me her awesome and time saving technique… which, you should try. She just heats up the jars in the water bath, brings the jelly to a boil, fills the jars, cleans the lids, puts on the rings, and leaves them on the counter to seal. And seal they did, every last jar sealed. 

I had no idea you didn’t have to water bath them again! Fran says she only does this for jelly. Tomatoes and other things she does a water bath after too.

It was a great time, and we are both looking forward to making aprons together for our next project.

Fran and Evelyn

Love,

Jamiegoof

A Day at the Zoo

Dear Sis,

Daddy decided today was the perfect day to go to the zoo! We packed a picnic lunch, the wagon, and the diaper bag, and we were off. William napped on the ride into town, which was ideal, because it gave him the ability to be awake later that afternoon, when he would normally be sleeping. 

We saw more animals, reptiles, and bugs than I can name. The stick bugs were fun, because William couldn’t see them until they moved. Then, he would get excited and say bug while pointing it out. He also liked the exhibit about bees. He has been on a bee kick lately, which is why I’m making him a bee Halloween costume:)

William’s favorite animal to watch was the Hippo. It glided by the window, turned around on the other side of the pool and was back again. He watched it for a good ten minutes and would have for much longer if we hadn’t told him it was time to say goodbye. Runner up was the Gibbons. Those singing monkeys would sing even more if we sang back at them. William enjoyed that. I think he felt like he was talking to them!

I was so busy being a step ladder that I didn’t get many pictures of our outing, but here is what I did get:)

This little african penguin wasn’t hanging out with the others. It was looking for a way out of the cage. It was briefly interested in William when he was reaching toward it. “Here’s my chance!” the little bird must have though. Until William went back to chewing on his snack container. “Typical!” One could almost see the bird’s annoyance.

The shadows make it a bit tricky to see, but there is a camel in the cave on the left.

William Pulling His Wagon Movie

Love,

b

Visiting with Great Grandma and Grandpa

Hi Sis,

Today, Evelyn got to meet her Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Cooper. I dressed her up in the cute purple sweater and green shoes that Grandma made her. Grandma of course loved holding and playing with her, and we talked about babies and family. 

It was a very nice visit. We had spaghetti and meatballs with bread and cucumber salad, and Gradma got to see the new painting she gave us hanging in the dinning room.  

We can’t wait to visit with them again this winter.

Love,

Jamiegoof