Orange Julius

from Renae

My mother used to make this as a treat for breakfast. It's refreshingly cool on a hot summer day.

photo: itchy's

Ingredients

• 3 oz. frozen orange juice
• 5-6 ice cubes
• 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions

Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Makes 4 small servings, but is easily doubled.

Menu Planning

from Renae

I try to simplify my responsibilities as homemaker, so a list of recipes hangs on the refrigerator. The ingredients are stored awaiting their transformation into yummy goodness. It works well for me.

However, I knew there had to be an easier way than searching through cookbooks every two weeks.

Photo: brighterworld's

Then I discovered How to Menu Plan: A Guide at SimpleMom. Her idea to use Google Calendar revolutionized my menu planning. Her plan of having certain types of meals for each day of week is genius.

It took me less than an hour to set everything up, and the month and half of menus was worth it. Future plans will take mere moments. I am not a slave to paper, but the neatly printed calendar frees my mind for laundry and lesson plans.

Also, of interest is the article Make a Deli.icio.Us Coo.kbo.ok. Del.icio.us is a bookmarking site I use to store links for homeschooling, home management, craft tutorials, and a myriad of other interesting things. Now I'm adding recipes. Here is my recipe book.

Do you plan menus? If so, what is your method?

Taco Soup

from Renae

Using beans is an easy way to reduce the grocery bill. My family enjoys this simple recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cans (4 oz. each) chopped green chilies
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 pkg taco seasoning
• 1 1/2 c water
• 2 c frozen corn
• 3 cans stewed tomatoes
• 3 cans beans, any variety (or equivalent prepared dried beans)
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Tortilla chips

Directions

1. In a large Dutch oven or kettle, cook onion. Add remaining ingredients except last two.
2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 min.
3. Serve with cheese and chips. Serves 10.

Sailboat Cake

from Julie

Teddy Bear Birthday Cake

from Renae

I created this cake for Sweet Pea's 1st birthday.

To make the body use two stainless steel nesting bowls for cake pans. The paws and ears are cupcakes. The bear is frosted with German Chocolate icing and decorated with Thin Mints, Junior Mints, and chocolate chips.

No Roll Pie Crust

from Julie

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 c flour (I use whole wheat and it turns out fine)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar (leave out if using for a savory dish)
• 1/3 c cooking oil
• 3 Tbsp cold milk

Directions

1. Whip oil and milk together, pour over dry ingredients.
2. Mix until completely dampened. Press dough with fingers to line a pie plate. No rolling necessary.
3. Brown crust at 400 degrees for 12-15 min. Cool. Makes 1 crust.

Tip: As an alternative to a rolled top crust on a 2-crust pie, sprinkle pastry crumbs over the top of a filled pie.

Credit: Campus Crusade's Delectable Collectibles

Whole Wheat Pie Crust

from Julie

My husband likes this because it's flaky and not dry like some whole wheat crusts. I hate rolling crusts, but it's a lot easier if you put it between two layers of plastic wrap.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3/4 c butter, softened enough to work with
  
• ice cold water

Directions

1. Cut butter into flour until it forms crumbs. Add water one tablespoon at a time until it forms a workable dough.
2. Split into two halves, wrap in plastic wrap and chill before rolling.
3. Can be stored well-wrapped in the freezer and taken out later to use as needed. Thaw in fridge. Makes 2 crusts.