Homemade Coffee Creamer

Hello Monday

Today we are venturing into the kitchen again with some more DIY.  That's right, y'all, we are gonna make some Coffee Creamer!  I stumbled into this adventure by accident.  The other night I made some donut holes and had three different "flavors."  Powdered sugar, of course, chocolate and cinnamon sugar.  With the leftover mix I decided to try it in my coffee as a sweetener and it was pretty good.  It got me to thinking how much I like to flavor my coffee and creamer is ridiculously expensive, IMO.  I mean, who doesn't want to save money???  I also like to see what I can make with the ingredients I have available in the house. This is super simple and a wonderful way to use up the powdered milk I have left from bread making.  There's always so stinkin' much...

Gather Ingredients:

Dry Milk

White Sugar

Brown Sugar 

Powdered Sugar

Cinnamon

Cocoa

I then put everything in the blender (recipes follow), blend and voila, creamer.  It would be just as easy to put it in the container and shake, shake, shake...

Cinnamon Sugar:

1 Cup Dry Milk

1/4 Cup White Sugar

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 :Powdered Sugar

1 TBLS Cinnamon

Mocha:

1 Cup Dry Milk

1/4 Cup Cocoa

1/2 Cup White Sugar

Now, these are the measurements I used and these are the first batches.  I will make these again but some changes will be made.  On the cinnamon sugar, I would use more brown sugar (for a caramel flavor) and less cinnamon.  For the mocha I think more cocoa would be better.  I have discovered the addition of extracts give me so many more variations.  I'm a huge amaretto fan so, of course, almond extract would be fantabulous.  The possibilities are endless.  I would most certainly make a bigger batch but I just wanted to fill these little jars for now.  Yes, I am going through a glassware/storage phase and I LOVE it!

So, I hope this gives you a start.  I would love to hear what other flavors/recipes you may have.  Please, feel free to share in the comments section.  I feel like I talk to myself most of the time, which I do in reality, but it would be great to get some feedback.  

Here's to a Great Week!

~Ash

Yes,This is Our Life.

Greetings.

It's Wednesday, Hump Day, and all I can think is how much it feels like another Monday.  I know I say I try to keep busy but this is a little overboard.  If only life could space out the work evenly...LOL  Oddly enough, my last post WAS on Monday.  I'm still trying to sort out the how-to's of fixing the fence, the shelter is another story.  Being spring and summer coming I am thinking the horses will be ok until Daddy gets back.  In any poor weather, we can move them back to the "turkey and duck" pen.

That being said...the turkey and duck pen are currently inhabited by the displaced horses.  I've got the fencing, the posts are still in place, I have ties and caps for the t-posts.  What I don't have is ANY idea how to get the fencing out of the truck and rolled out the "short" distance I need it.  I'm not good with measurements when "eyeballing" but I know it's not 330' of repair which is exactly how much horse/livestock fencing I have.  That being said, I now need to fix the turkey/duck pen...

This morning, after telling the dogs to "HUSH UP Already!" I look out and see our neighbor out with the horses.  Neighbor, being a very large bull.  No "shit", it was a bull...and, of course, all I can think of is Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit!  LOL  I don't mind the droppings so much but he was IN the turkey pen, meaning he pushed the fencing down on one end.  Now, I realize it wasn't the sturdiest to begin with but Come On.  So, after driving in to town early to drop off Lucy for an overnight field trip, I come home and find we left one dog out.  I then try to start my day when I hear the dogs going crazy and find the bull in the pen.  I proceed to fix said fencing as best I can before the horses make a run for it.  I was really not wanting to do a recovery alone again...  But, I got it fixed up and the horses are still here so that's something.

Then it was time to make a water run, Oh Joy (said in my best "Stimpy" inner voice).  Of course, I was having a bit of a time getting the truck backed up just right for the trailer...yeah, I guess I am a girl in some ways!  That is irritation in and of itself.  I really didn't need the damn roosters coming after me!!!  I don't know what has gotten into them but they are ASSHOLES now.  Manny used to be ok but since Bob has joined the ranks it's every man, woman and child for themselves.  So, I'm trying to hitch up, while fending off rogue roosters and getting in and out of the truck for "just an inch or two more."  I'm sure it would be entertaining for the masses, I wasn't in quite so good humor by that time.  BUT, I finally got it done, thank you very much.  Then it was on to normal, everyday business.  Fiona had an appointment for her immunizations and to have her "easy button" looked at.  So, when it's time to leave I put the boys in their kennels and call  out for the Princess.

For about 15-20 minutes I am calling outside, inside, checking under beds, checking animal shelters (not the pound), you name it.  I couldn't find her anywhere!  I figured she ended up following the bull to make sure he was gone for good or something of that nature.  When I couldn't wait any longer I called the vet's office and asked if I could bring in Paco instead as it was still just immunizations, Fiona was nowhere to be found.  So, no biggs, Paco and I roll out for his checkup, shots, etc.  I'm sure everyone will be happy to hear he is healthy, many more years to come.  He I scheduled an appt. for getting his teeth cleaned later this month and a "bring Fiona in if she's available during his drop off or pick up."  I proceeded to treat myself to a chicken sandwich at The Expedition and a "glass" of wine.  Hehehe  I've found a new red I really like, it's called Goose Bump.  Anyhow, I stayed in town til it was time to pick the kids up and we headed home.

FIONA WAS IN THE HOUSE THE WHOLE TIME!

Yep, she came right out when Kyleigh opened the door.  I guess at some point I must have mentioned the appt. in her presence, dumb me.  She really is a Princess, with fatty tumors~fat pockets~easy buttons.  She's my girl.  I'm so relieved she hadn't decided to wonder off and die or something.  The thought did occur to me, unfortunately.  She has so much to teach the young boys about being loyal, not velcro, guardianship and family/animal protection on the 'ole farm.  Did I mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE this oddly sized dachshund mix?

Yes, this IS our life!

So, that's it for today, Lord willing.  I'm ready for dinner, a cider and some Ghost Whisperer.  Yes, we just started watching it on Netflix and the kids are always asking if we'll have time to get in an episode or two.  We live in a bit of a time warp bubble.  LOL

May you have a relaxing evening and until next time...

~Ash

Hoooooo Weeeee! It's Definitely A Monday!

Good Grief is it's WINDY!  I thought Saturday was bad but this definitely takes the cake.  I'm surprised we haven't had any animals blow away yet.  Today has been a stay in the house kind of day...  I'm trying to get this house in shape but to no avail.  I feel like once I finish one thing there are seventeen other things that fall apart.  I need some pep in my step and it just hasn't been available lately, I think it's on back order...

Well, I had a little break in my post.  After picking up the kiddos from the bus stop (post office) we were trying to get our afternoon chores done when we noticed...

"MOM, BELLE is OUT!"  Yup, not just Belle but Klassy too.  Appears our horse shelter wasn't rated for gale force winds.  Uggghhh.  So, off we went to round up the girls.  I guess I've got a little more than reinforcement to tend to now.  Isn't that just so exciting?!?  Oh, and just in case that wasn't enough for today, we lost half the roof on the chicken coop.  I guess the life span of two years was pushing it.  Oh well, I will be a busy bee for awhile. Phew!  I'm so relieved, I was afraid I would run out of things to do.  Know what I meeeeean?  The good news is, the roof is still on OUR house.  Yaaay!

So, I'm off to have some dinner and make some plans for rebuilding.  LOL  It's just another day at the Woodsies.  Anyone else just have one of those days?  Let me know about it, let's commiserate, leave a line or two.  Hoping everyone has a wonderful and relaxing evening.

Blessings,

~Ash

What?!? You don't say...

 4 More Mondays!!!

Hear me?  I said, 4 More Mondays...

Yep, the end of the school year is rapidly approaching and I am pretty excited about it!  No more racing out the door in the mornings, hopefully.  In connection with end of school come the summer activities.  Looks like we'll have some baseball and a basketball camp.  It's so nice to find an outlet for some of Nick's energy, he has soooooo much!

We also have a visit to look forward to in June, Grannie is comin' out to stay for a few weeks.  That's only 5 more Mondays away.  This should certainly help pass the time, of which I am grateful.  These months with Daddy away can really drag on at times.  I'm thinking between activities, visits and the "impending doom" of the beginning of next school year, September shouldn't feel so far away!  We've also got Kyleigh working on her driving, logging hours for her license, and she may just have a job lined up.  Yay for her!  Not to mention the extra time with the horses and other animals.  And gardening....oooo, aaaaaahhh.

It will also be a chance for me to get some things done around the house, inside and out.  Or, at least, TRY to get things done.  Maybe Grannie will be in a crafty/decorating/painting/something kinda mood.  We can hope!  I have so many ideas, so many things to be done, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

On that note, I believe it's time for me to bid you good night.  My eyes are burning and I can't quit yawning.  Not to mention, I have a book calling my name.  I'm definitely a reading junkie and if I don't get to it I'll end up awake til dawn...not such a good idea.

What are your summer plans?  I'd love to hear.

Buenos Noches,

~Ash

Good Morning Monday

It's Monday, Yay!  I LOVE Mondays!

No sarcasm, I really do have a soft spot for Monday.  It gets a bad wrap.  Too many people look at it as "I have to go back to work" day.  How about we look at it as "I'm thankful for a job" day.  Does that make any sense?  I am grateful for my back to work day.  It gives me a chance to get myself ready for the week and put my house back in order.  Mondays give me a fresh start.  No matter what the previous week held for me, I get to start anew.

In our house, Mondays mean clean sheets on the bed.  It's fresh towels in the bathroom.  It's getting all of the weekend-ness out of the house.  I love weekends.  I just don't always like how things seem to get thrown to the wayside.  I like my home to be dusted, vacuumed...fresh.  Don't get me wrong, it's a household of six right now.  It's most definitely lived in.  I don't have the "magazine ready" house.  I don't really want it.  I have a home where people aren't afraid to come in, sit down, put their feet up and relax.  It makes our weekends so fun.  We enjoy having our friends/family out.

All of that being said, it's time to get off my tookus and get moving.  It doesn't magically happen, contrary to what the children may think.  As a "gift" to you, I am posting a picture in the hopes it brightens your day a bit.  It's one of my favorites.  I sometimes need reminding of why I love it here, esp when it's so darn cold!

A Montana Sunrise

May you have a peaceful Monday.

~Ash