Blueberry Crumb Top Muffins

I have been on a  search for a good go to blueberry muffin recipe, especially sense I have an abundance of blueberries (10 lbs or so) from visiting blueberry farms this summer.

So this last Fourth of July, 2015, I created these. I made 12 and with a family of five they were all gone within 30 minutes. A big hit and new favorite.

Ingredients 

Crumb Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour(1/2 cup almond flour and 1/2 cup all purpose)

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (1/2 cup almond 1 1/4 cup all purpose)

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup canola oil (melted shortening)

3/4 cup whole milk (1/4 cup buttermilk and 1/2 cup whole) 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups blueberries

Top with raspberry or strawberry syrup and cool whip (once baked). 

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 375°. Line 18 or 12 muffin cups with paper or foil liners or spray 2 muffin tins with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the melted butter, then pinch the mixture until it forms pea-size clumps.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs and canola oil and beat with a handheld electric mixer at low speed until combined. Beat in the whole milk and vanilla. Add the flour mixture all at once and beat at low speed until the batter is smooth. Stir in the blueberries.

Spoon the batter into 18 of the cups (with just 12 fill almost full), filling them about three-quarters full. Sprinkle the crumb topping on top of each one and bake for about 30 minutes or until the muffins are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Let the blueberry muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving. Top with syrup and frozen cool whip. 

DIY Chalk Board Serving Trays - Using Glass and Old Picture Broads

I have been dying to try this out for some time, but but have not been wanting to invest the money and buying the paint and supplies. Then a friend gave me some extra paint and the picture frames I got form leftovers at a garage sale and I had two glass chess boards I never use. So all I needed was Chalk and an eraser. So here we go!!!!!!

Supplies

Chalk paint

Sponge paint brush

Chalk 

Chalk eraser

Used pictures or glass 

Step 1: start with thin layer of chalk paint. Don't stroke on if using glass it will not stay. I learned that it will stay if dapped on leaving it textured. With the old pictures I just did strokes and it was fine. Allow to dry as directed by chalk paint instructions.

Step 2: once dried apply second coat. For the glass I then put on with strokes instead of sponging.

Step 3: apply multiple coats following instructions for previous coats, making sure follow drying times. For the pictures I found two or three coats was efficient. And for the glass I used four coats.

Step 4: Once you have enough coats of paint and it is dried throughly (I allowed my last coat to dried at least over night). You need to treat the chalk paint with chalk. This is done by rubbing throughly chalk all over its surface. Then wiping off with eraser and repeat with rubbing chalk.

Step 5: Wipe clean and use!!!! I hung my picture frame ones up to leave notes and my glass I use as serving trays.

Homemade Bar Keepers Friend - Kitchen, Bath, and Sink Cleaner

I love the BAR KEEPERS FRIEND cleaner. But got tired of paying the price for it. I looked of directions (here) to make me some of my own and realized that I already had all the ingredients. Been Using it for about 6 months now for cleaning pots, sinks, toilet, and the shower. Love its cleaning power. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cups salt
• ½ cup borax powder
• 15 drops Lemon Essential Oil *

*Lemon Essential oil - Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air, disinfects surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.

Instructions

1. Pour ingredients into jar or bowl.
2. Mix or stir until well mixed.
3. If you want to make a shaker, put in a pint or quart mason jar (I used some cleaned out sauce jars) and poke some holes in the top (carefully) with nail and hammer.

Notes

To Use:
Lightly wet surface with water or undiluted white vinegar (for really bad messes)
Sprinkle powder on and let sit 5 minutes
Scrub with sturdy brush until clean
Rinse with water or vinegar (for really bad messes)

Homemade 'Tear Free' Baby Bubble Bath Solution

Who does not love a bubble bath? Instead of going out and buying another product I decided to make my own Baby Bubble Bath Solution. This recipe is easy and quick. I know use this every time for bath time, it makes for cleaning and scrubbing my toddler easier because he is already playing and swimming in the cleaning solution.

Ingredients

1 cup Baby soap or shampoo

3/4 cup Water

1/2 to 1 teaspoon Glycerin

15 Drops of Essential Oils (I like to use Lavender or Serenity, soothing before bedtime)

Directions

I poured all of the ingredients into a clear glass bowl and began to whisk, gently. I then had some empty shampoo containers that I funneled the solution into. I then labeled with sharpie (did not get picture of that). And DONE! Time to clean a dirty Baby. 

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent

I decided to try some powdered laundry detergent. It is basically the same ingredients as my Liquid Detergent Recipe but concentrated. Decided that I needed to make more space in the laundry department, instead of having all these gallon jugs around. Don't get me wrong I still like my other detergent recipe (used it for 19 months). But we found we like the smell of our clothes better with this powdered detergent.   

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent 

Ingredients

• 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) shaved or blended in blender (a homemade laundry bar, Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory, ZOTE, or Fels-Naptha)
• 1-2 cups of Borax
• 1-2 cups of Baking soda or Washing Soda
• 30-40 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil or Purify Essential Oil (I did 50:50)

Directions

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes and enjoy the results! You can take this a step further and blend the mixture in a blender or food processor to create a powder that will dissolve easily even in cold water. (Just be sure to let the dust settle before removing the lid of your blender or food processor so you don’t inhale the fine particles.) Store in a sealed container with a small scoop.

Lemon Essential oil - Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air, disinfects surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.

Purify Essential Oil - Purify can eliminate foul odors quickly and be an effective cleaner throughout the home. Purify contains Lemon, Lime, and Pine essential oils, known for their powerful cleaning properties, along with Siberian and Austrian Firs to purify the air and protect against environmental threats. The addition of Citronella, Melaleuca, and Cilantro give this blend an enticing aroma that’s uniquely dōTERRA and unmatched in purification properties.

To Use

Use 1/8-1/4 cup per load (depending on the size or soiled level).