Holiday Cranberry Sauce

I'm not a fan of cranberries (although I do love to decorate with cranberries!)   :), but this recipe.... this I love! 

This recipe has been in the family for years, and it comes down through my mom's side of the family.  

It's quick, simple, and delicious.

Holiday Cranberry Sauce

2 tbsp Butter

4 large Apples

1/4 tsp Cardamon

1/4 tsp Allspice

1 bag Cranberries

1 cup Sugar

1-1/4 cup Water

Peal, core, and dice apples.

Melt butter over medium heat, add apples & allspice.  Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Increase heat to medium-high and stir in cranberries, sugar, and water.  Heat to boiling.

Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered 6-8 minutes, until cranberries pop and mixture thickens, stirring occasionally. 

Bon Appetit!!!

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Home made Laundry Detergent

Way back in October, I made my own laundry detergent.  It cost me about $20 to buy all of the ingredients and it has lasted seven months.  I do approximately 6-10 full loads of laundry a week.  And I haven't run out yet... I still have about two months worth of detergent left.

I used this recipe found on the blog Being Creative.  It uses five ingredients, all of which you can find at Walmart.  We mixed all the ingredients together in a 5 gallon bucket that was lined with a garbage bag (that way the bucket doesn't have to be super clean).  Took about 15 minutes total.

$20 and 15 minutes of work = months and months of laundry detergent.  That's a winner in my book!  It doesn't get "sudsy", so don't think it's not working just because there are not a lot of suds!  This also makes it good to use in HE washers.

Another laundry trick of mine.... Instead of using liquid fabric softener during the rinse cycle, I use vinegar.  I put in about a 1/2 cup of vinegar during the final rinse.  It's cheaper, it's easier on the washing machine, and it's more environmentally friendly than standard fabric softener.  And before you ask, no, the clothes do not come out of the machine smelling like vinegar.  Read more vinegar tips and tricks here!




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"Pink" Dessert

I made this dessert for Easter Sunday.  It's SO SIMPLE to make.  Best part??? ....  Everyone seemed to really like it!  YEAH for easy, delicious desserts!

Pink Strawberry Cake, bake according to box directions
Let cake cool completely
Top with Vanilla Instant Pudding
Spread a can of Crushed Pineapple (drained) over the pudding
Top it off with a tub of Whipped Cream (I make mine pink with food coloring)
Garnish with strawberries or pineapple rings
Refrigerate until ready to serve (and any left overs, if there *are* any!)


I have to thank my girlfriend Debra for this delicious (& EASY!) dessert!





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