Homemade Chicken Stock

I really try and make as much stuff as possible at home. Not only do I not want to pay the grocery store price (I'm on a budget here people!) I hate all the added ingredients. I often make roast chicken (it's one of Jordan's absolute favorite meals) so when I do I just stick the carcus and extra meat in a ziplock bag and throw it in the freezer. When i'm running low on my last batch of chicken stock I will make more! It is super easy to make so here we go!

 

Ingredients:

Left over chicken carcus (isn't that such a lovely word?)

Celery - I just used the root and the leaves

Carrots - dice into large chunks

Onions - skin and all cut in 1/2  

3 T Salt & Peppercorns

Green onions

 

 

Step 1:

Thow everything into a tall stockpot

 

Step 2:

Cover with water at least a few inches over the top of everything

 

 

Step 3:

Let simmer on the stovetop with the lid off for at least 3 hours

 

Step 4:

Clean out your fridge & freezer while waiting... this step is optional it's just what I did while I waited :)

 

Also make a chalkboard wall in your kitchen... it keeps your kids entertained!

 

 

Step 5:

Turn off stove and let cool just a little - Sorry no picture of this

 

Step 6:

Take a large bowl and use a large strainer to get all the big ingredients out of the way

 

Step 7:

Next I take a smaller strainer and pour the stock through this. If you have some cheesecloth that would be even better... but I was fresh out.

 

 

Step 8:

Divide up into individual baggies - I divide mine into 2 cup increments. Mark on the bags the quantity and the date that it was made

 

Step 9:

Lay flat in your freezer to freeze

 

Step 10:

Once frozen you can stack these up nicely in the door or lay flat stacked on a shelf in the freezer

 

Step 11:

Just pull out when needed and let thaw! Enjoy some wonderful homemade chicken stock! My batch made 10 cups of chicken stock!

Pacifier Clip Revised

I cannot believe I haven't blogged since April! Wow! We we did find out we are expecting Baby Butler #2 in January, so that might explain my absence. I haven't been crafting as much during Jasper's nap time because its turned into my nap time as well! 

I had a baby shower this past weekend and made my friend a nursing cover (Blog instructional to come soon) and some pacifier clips. I know I have already done a blog on paci clips but I have found a much simpler and easier way to do this! 

Supplies: 

Fabric 

Iron/Ironing Board

Corresponding thread 

Sewing machine 

Suspender/Pacifier clips (mine had a 1" opening)

Velcro or Elastic 

Step 1: 

Cut your fabric into a 4 X 10.5 inch strip 

 

Step 2: 

With the wrong side of fabric faced up iron a 1/4 inch crease on the short side of each fabric (see pic) 

 

Step 3: 

Iron fabric in 1/2 long ways (like a hotdog) the right side of the fabric will be showing (notice how the ends are nice and tucked in!)

 

Step 4: 

Open this long crease back up and fold both sides in towards the middle (the crease) and iron this down

Step 5: 

Iron fabric in 1/2 again (where we did the original crease in step 3) Now your fabric will be exactly 1 inch wide to fit into the suspender/paci clip

Step 6: 

Sew a 1/8 inch inseam down both side of the fabric (be sure to do a good back stitch when beginning and ending) 

 

Step 7: 

Place suspender/paci clip on of the ends and fold over the fabric and pin. Sew a straight line across (try and get as close to the clip as you can). Also make sure the back side of your pacifier clip and the folded back fabric are both on the same side. You don't want that back fold of fabric showing.

 

 

Step 8: 

This is the step where you can use either the elastic or the Velcro. I preferred the elastic because so many people use the Soothie pacifiers and the Velcro won't work with those. So here are the instructions for the elastic. Cut a 3-4 inch piece of elastic and fold into a loop. Place the ends of the loop into the other end of the fabric pocket (see picture). Put a pin in place to hold the elastic while you are sewing. Sew a straight line across. 

 

Step 9: 

Attach Pacifier of your choice and enjoy!

 

Here are some of the other ones I made for the shower. If you are not a sewer and would like to purchase some of these let me know. I sell them for $5 a piece and they make for a unique baby present!  

Chicken Spaghetti

I had all the ingredients for Chicken Spaghetti tonight so that's what we had for dinner tonight! Here is my recipe and the step by step direction.

Ingredients:

2-3 Boneless skinless chicken breast

1 small package Velveeta cheese

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1 can cream of chicken 

Your choice of pasta (I used Fettuccine because that's what was in the pantry)

Salt & Pepper 

Mushrooms (optional)

Back olives (optional) 

 

Step 1: 

In a large pot place chicken breast and boil until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken once done and place on cutting board. Save this water and keep it boiling for your pasta.

Step 2:

Dice Velveeta and place in a large pan with Rotel (don't drain it) and the cream of chicken. Mix together and heat over low heat until all melted together.

Step 3. 

While cheese mixture is melting together put noodles in the water (the same water you boiled your chicken in) cook according to the time on the package. I only used about 3/4 of the box of mine. I don't like a dry chicken spaghetti - I'd rather have more cheesy goodness! 

 

Step 4:

While noodles are boiling and cheese is melting shred your chicken. After chicken is shredded I sprinkle it with salt and pepper. 

Step 5:

Drain pasta when done boiling and return to same large pot and add in the Velveeta mixture and the chicken. Mix all together. If you use the mushrooms and black olives add them in at this step.

 

Step 6:

Place in a 9X13 pan and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. I topped mine with a little extra cheddar cheese so I baked it for an additional 5-10 minutes with the foil off. 

 Step 7:

Chow down and enjoy!

Liquid Laundry Detergent

I love making my own laundry detergent! It is so much cheaper and it works great. I have used the powder and the liquid now and I think I prefer the liquid. My washer and dryer are located in my garage so I don't mind having a huge 5 gallon bucket beside the washing machine. I think if my laundry room was inside it might be a different. So here we go!

Ingredients: 

1 bar soap (Fels Naptha, Zote, or Ivory)

1/2 c Borax

1 c Washing soda 

4 cups water

Large 5 gallon bucket with lid (I think mine is actually 6 gallons)

 

Step 1: 

Grate the soap 

 

Step 2:

Take the 4 cups of water and pour into a large pot and then add soap shreds. Stir constantly over medium heat until soap is melted. You can use a whisk or spoon to stir - mixture will be pretty foamy when all the soap is melted. 

 

Step 3:

Fill your 5 gallon bucket 1/2 way up with hot tap water 

 

Step 4:

Add soap mixture then add in the Borax and the Washing soda and stir well. Check out my handsome little helper :) 

 

Step 5: 

Fill 5 gallon bucket the rest of the way up with hot tap water 

 

Step 6:

Cover with lid and let sit overnight. 

Next day you can take the lid off and make sure the detergent set up. It will be very congealed and gel like. Use 1/2 a cup per load of laundry. This detergent wont stud up like a store bought detergent.

 

Note: I used Zote soap for my detergent and it is a great stain fighter! I actually keep a bar beside my washing machine to rub straight on a stain. I have gotten tough stains out that have been washed and dried in. Next time I have one I will be sure to blog on it!