Spiced Chai

psst...I know this is supposed to be Kitchen Tip Tuesday but I wanted to share this recipe with you all soooo badly that you'll forgive me, right?

I love chai!  L.O.V.E. it!!  I drink at least a cup a day.  This recipe is super simple and very affordable!

I need to give my friend Jenny props here for sharing this awesome recipe with me!  Hi Jenny! Thank you!! 
*me waving profusely*

Enjoy!

Spiced Chai

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French Vanilla non-dairy creamer
2-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea granules
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. each: ground cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice
1/8 t. white pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Blend the mixture, in small batches, in a food processor until the consistency of fine powder. Store in an air tight jar. Stir 4 heaping teaspoons into a mug of hot milk to serve.  Enjoy!  Mmm mmm...yummy!

**PURCHASE SPICED CHAI MIX OVER AT THE MERCANTILE  HERE

Kitchen Tip Tuesday: Warm Fuzzies

I know a lot of these tips don't have to do with "kitcheny" type things, but I thought since Autumn is right around the corner I would share some fun things from Gooseberry Patch's Autumn in the Country cookbook..

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Put away summer toss pillows for the season...set out warm and cozy cushions of flannel or fleece.

Pack away summer linens with sachets so they'll be fragrant when unpacked in the spring.  Place a spoonful of dried lavender on a pinked square of pretty fabric, gather into a bundle and tie with a satin bow.  So sweet!

A striking fall bouquet is as close as your own backyard!  Look for late-blooming flowers, short branches of colorful leaves and even interesting twigs to arrange a fall vase.

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"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." -- Elizabeth Lawrence

Amazing Caramel Corn

Photo courtesy of Good Housekeeping

As far as I'm concerned once the calendar flips to September it's FALL!  I have all my decorations set out (well except for waiting on some pumpkins for outside).  Ever since a friend gave me this recipe years ago this has been a fall tradition in this house. It's a recipe passed on to me by a dear friend years ago. Once you have this caramel corn you'll never eat another pre-packaged caramel corn again...EVER!  Even the kind from the fair or carnival just doesn't cut it! Enjoy!


Carmel Corn

6 qt. popped corn
(You can use 3 microwave bags but I'm too
cheap so I pop it in a large covered pan on the stove.)


In a sauce pan melt and stir:
2 c. brown sugar
2 sticks butter (salted)
1/2 c. light corn syrup (I use store brand...remember I'm cheap?)
1/2 tsp. salt

Cook and stir occasionally over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Once it comes to a rolling boil keep it on medium and stir constantly for 5 minutes (keeps it from scorching). Remove from heat and add 1/2 tsp. baking soda and stir. Pour it over the corn (the bigger bowl to fold it in, the better!) and fold until coated.

Pour onto 2 cookie sheets with raised edges (don't grease them). Bake 200 degrees for an hour...important...gently flip over the caramel corn with a pancake flipper every 20 minutes.

Store in airtight container...assuming your family hasn't devoured it in an evening...as ours definitely can!

Queen of the Castle: Week 35

For those of you playing along...(if you've just joined us you can get caught up a bit here) we are on week 35 of the book Queen of the Castle: 52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, domestically challenged or just plain tired homemaker. 

"The Job of Queen:  Homemaking As a Profession, Part 2" is the title of this chapter.  I totally agree with Lynn when she writes "Confirmation for a job well done doesn't come from next Friday's paycheck but instead comes a couple of decades down the road when you hear the majestic opening notes of "Pomp and Circumstance" or "The Wedding March"."  Jill Savage adds "We can't buy into the belief that accomplishment is measured by something that stays finished...The profession of motherhood has one primary goal -- to see a child grow into a mature, godly, respectful, and loving adult."  Lynn continues..."We will grow discouraged in our work as homemakers if we measure success by whether or not the dining room table stays cleared of papers. ... remember the goal is not ot tend a house; the goal is to tend a family.  And if that means the washing machine continually swishes, the kitchen counter is littered with snack remnants, and the family room is decorated with tennish shoes, history textbooks, and a forlorn French horn waiting to be practiced -- well, so be it.  That's what raising a family looks like."  Amen and Amen!!

Lynn also goes on to say that while keeping up with the business of life happens we need to have a mission, a goal for our family.  Like I always say "It's good to have a goal!"  We want our homes to be welcoming and comfortable.  We need to reflect Christ -- in our words, actions and attitudes.  As Paul wrote in Philippians, we need to "press on".    

Sometimes we need a little motivation.  There are books and magazines available to us to hone our homemaking skills.  Organization, finances, shopping, cooking, and cleaning are all skills that must be learned!  Start your own personal library.  Or blog about your adventures!  

Lynn suggests a few homemaking magazines and newsletters.  I'll pass them along to you.

Hearts at Home www.hearts-at-home.org

P31 www.gospelcom.net

Above Rubies www.aboverubies.org

An Encouraging Word www.wisgate.com

"In the long run men hit only what they aim at.  Therefore, though they 

should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high."

-- Henry David Thoreau

"A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!"  Proverbs 15:23