Nutty-Mellow Popcorn Delight

Last year my culinary crazy neighbor made us some marshmellowy-popcorn-peanutty-sweet yummy something, among twenty other treats (no joke), and I almost single handedly ate the whole thing (also, no joke).  It obviously made a HUGE impression on me because it's all I could think about making this year.  I just didn't think I could go on without it.

Basking in the memory of it's tasty goodness I pulled together a piece here and a piece there to create this amazing concoction.  I will admit.....it's still missing something....some "secret ingredient" (not counting the spiced gumdrops that my husband made me promise I would leave out).  It's just not quite like the baking goddess's but it is still pretty dang good.  I may just have to find a way to get in touch with her and beg her for her recipe.  Until then, perhaps we should just enjoy a bit (or a lot) of this highly tasty morsel.

Think ultra gooey, ultra nutty, and ultra awesome.

Nutty-Mellow Popcorn Delight
(pulled together from Mama Cindy's (aka my mothers) recipe collection and allrecipes.com)

3 bags microwave popcorn**
2 cubes (1 cup) salted butter
2 10 oz bags mini marshmellows
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Stir-ins (all are optional...get creative):  
1 bag Peanut Butter M&M'S 
1 bag Peanut M&M's
1 jar/canister honey roasted peanuts
1 cup small gumdrops (not featured in this picture)
sprinkles
  

Pop popcorn (**see notes below).  Add stir-ins and set aside.  In a large saucepan, heat butter, marshmallow, sugar and corn syrup on med-low heat until smooth (marshmallows are completely melted), stirring very often, if not continuously.  Remove from heat; add vanilla.  Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix until well coated.  Spread onto wax paper until cool.  Store in airtight container or bag.  

**You are looking for the equivalent of about 12 cups popped popcorn (that makes it really gooey.  If you want a dryer popcorn add 1-3 more cups.)  Honestly, we usually use microwave popcorn (the "healthy" stuff with just a bit of butter and salt...yum) but you can used regular air popped as well.  For microwave, use about 3 bags...for air pop you are looking at about 9 TBSP (just over 1/2 cup).  It's really not an exact science...just a good jumping off point.  :)  Try to weed out as many of the un-popped kernel's as possible (no one likes to chomp into a hard kernel after all).  You can do this by collecting the popcorn into a large brown paper sack (or a large bowl) and shaking lightly to "settle" the un-popped kernel's in the bottom.  Then lightly hand spoon the popped corn into a (another) LARGE bowl.   

 To make a beautiful neighbor gift, press cooled popcorn into a cling wrap lined bread pan and form into a loaf.  Wrap loaf with excess cling wrap and continue wrapping until covered.  Add a bow for a fun touch.  

And ENJOY!

DIY: Dry Erase Wall Calendar

I've started decorating my house.  Super Frugal (Pinterest inspired) Style.

You see...while the house we bought may be new to us, it is definitely not new.  It was built in the late 70's.  I really don't mind that, except that in the foreseeable future it will need a few repairs.  (Starting with ripping out the nasty animal/urine stained carpet that was SUPPOSED to have been cleaned professionally.  Never happened.).  So...I need to be saving money anywhere I can on more "frivolous" things. 

That's why I am ecstatic about today's project.  It didn't cost me a thing.  I had all the supplies already (that NEVER happens).

I have been scoping out Dry Erase Wall Calendars on Pinterest and found a few that I liked but didn't LOVE.  So...I used those ideas as a "guideline" and made up my own.  Now...before you all go thinking I am a creative genius, you are wrong.  This took me HOURS upon HOURS to think up...and it really only evolved as I got going.  I'm really surprised it turned out so cute...to tell you the truth.

Supplies used:

*Picture frame (I used an old one my mother-in-law gave me years ago...Walmart has them for cheap)

*Paint for frame (if you want to change the color)

*Polyurethane to seal paint (which I haven't actually put on yet because SOMEONE threw it away during the move....Roberto!)

*Strip of my new favorite fabric (Paisley Floral Cream -by Sophia, purchase at Jellys Roll 2 Go)

*Coordinating Scrapbook Paper

*Permanent Marker

*Wrapping paper (with grids on the back)

Honestly, the HARDEST part was trying to measure and evenly space the boxes.  I may, or may not, have sworn in my head (or even out loud) a few (many) times.  Seriously!  I ended up using wrapping paper that I (surprisingly) had.  I used the grids to help measure the two inch length (my boxes are 2.75 inches by 2 in) so at least a few of my lines would be strait.  :)

FYI...the days of the week ("Sunday, Monday, etc") and "notes" were written directly on the scrapbook paper, the boxes are drawn on the INSIDE of the glass (so the lines stay month after month), and the month ("May") and days of the month ("1, 2, 3, etc") are written on the OUTSIDE of the glass (so you can erase and change them every month).

I'm really REALLY happy with the finished product.  

It's to be the main focal point on the empty kitchen.  I was sure to incorporate all of the colors I want to use in the entire room to draw them all together. 

More Super Frugal (Pinterest inspired) projects to come, I am sure.

Making Whites Whiter!!

I'm here today to talk laundry....AGAIN!  Why?  Because, as a mother of 4 boys, my life revolves around laundry.  My life IS laundry.  Laundry...Period.  :)

As you can see, I've been putting it off for the last few days.  Instead I've been busy painting my living room, cleaning up after painting my living room, teaching aerobics, holding cub scouts, preparing meals, changing diapers.....

Well, when my two oldest came to me complaining for lack of clothing to wear to school I realized the job could be put off no longer.

Here's what I saw after #3 gathered all of the baskets...

And these isn't even all of it.  I already had a load in the washer and the dryer.

GASP!

To make matters worse, I had just emptied my LAST cup of store bought laundry detergent into the washer.  Sigh....

Time to get back to FRUGALNESS!

Luckily I had all the ingredients on hand for my thrifty, nifty Homemade Laundry Detergent.  I tweaked it a bit this time (taking some tips from Why Not Sew).  We'll see if I like it better.

The REAL reason for my post today is because I am trying out a NEW method of making WHITES WHITER!  I found this little ditty on Pinterest (my new best friend) and am totally going to try it out.

In this house, NOTHING stays white for long.  Why should it when it can be stained with grass, dirt, and general muck, right?

Here is the "recipe":

HOT water
1 cup of laundry detergent (I'm using my homemade soap)
1 cup powdered dish washer detergent 
1 cup bleach (or color safe bleach if any color present)
1/2 cup borax

 Fill the washing machine with HOT WATER (you can even BOIL a gallon or so of water on the stove to add to the washer to make it that much hotter). Then add the "ingredients".  Agitate the machine for a few minutes (BEFORE ADDING CLOTHES) to allow dishwasher detergent to dissolve.  THEN add clothes.  Allow clothes to soak for as long as you can (overnight if possible).  Finish cycle.

Because I have some time restraints (aka a million loads to get through today) and didn't have time to allow the load to soak in the washer, I turned to the bathtub.  Yep...I said the bathtub (or a plastic tote would do).

I filled it with hot HOT water (yeah, we keep our water heater up pretty high), then added the laundry soap and bleach.

Next I filled a large pan with a gallon of water, set it on the stove to heat, and then added both the dishwasher detergent and the borax.  By the time the water reached a boil, the detergent/borax had dissolved.

I added the water/detergent/borax to the bathtub and stirred.  Now for the clothes.

(I would have taken a picture of this but I'd rather not post a pic of my unmentionables on the internet, thank you very much.) 

I let the load soak in the tub for several hours (5-6) and then transferred them, in a basket, to the washing machine. 

I ran them through a regular HOT cycle, with an extra rinse for good measure.

The end result was spectacular.

 It truly did make my "whites" whiter.

I think I will make a regular habit of this.  It's very nice to see things "glow" again.  :)

Cinnamon Stick Nativity Ornaments

 I love these nativities.  I wish I could take the credit for coming up with their design....but I can't.  My mom taught me to make them...and her sister taught her to make them....etc.  But, they are BEAUTIFUL and always a HUGE hit at the annual ornament exchange I attend.  So...I thought I would share the joy and teach y'all how to make them.

Here's what you need:

 5 cinnamon sticks, about 3 inches each
1 whole star anise (find in bulk spice section or latin markets)
2 pieces of star anise
3 whole cloves (just need the little ball part)
1 small piece of cinnamon stick
raffia
glue gun

Step #1

Glue bottom of stable to sides

(leaving a little overhang allows for easier raffia installation)

(also, for this step, I try to find sticks that have a nice definite line down the middle)

Step #2

add two stick of cinnamon for the roof--

one at a time; lined sides facing down
(this is where you can use your cinnamon stick that either
don't have a nice line down them or are twisted)

Step #3

tying the raffia--

what you are looking for is a crisscross in the front
(it's kinda hard to describe exactly how to do it...just play with it until you get it.)

tie in the back and cover the knot with a dab of glue

if it seems to be slipping off...place a small dab of glue on the side to secure it

then, trim the excess raffia
(repeat on all 4 corners)

it should look like this on the back when you are all done with this step

 

Step #4
Glue on the star (anise)

Step #5

putting together Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus

for Joseph-

break down an extra cinnamon stick until thin; glue on a clove ball

For Mary-

look for a taller, thinner piece of star anise (as compared to the baby Jesus)

turn in on it's end; glue on a clove ball 

For baby Jesus-

(I forgot to take a picture)

find a shorter, wider piece of star anise (as compared to Mary); 

turn it on it's side; add a clove ball

This is what they should look like all together-

(keep in mind that they should be both proportionate to one another and also the stable)

Step #6

Glue the Holy Family into the stable

(turn around to the back and secure them by adding more glue 

where it won't be seen from the front)

Step #7

tie a loop of raffia for the ornament hanger; 

glue on the back.

Trim any excess raffia and pull off any hanging glue strings

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!

(please excuse my ugly tree)

This is a very forgiving craft (which is why I love it).  

They are meant to be a little rustic and so perfectionism is not needed here.

Do what you like...what looks good to you.

They will be beautiful no matter what!

HAVE FUN!

Chunky Vegetable Bean Soup

I'm always anxious to find yummy foodies that are skinny and flavorful (cuz the two don't always come in the same package), meatless, full of nutrition and easy.  This scrumptious soup fits the bill on all the above mentioned requirements.  And....it's just so darn good.

Chunky Vegetable Bean Soup

Crockpot and Skinnylicious 

adapted from skinnyms.

 Ingredients:
1 medium sweet onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1" cubes (can substitute other potatoes)
2 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1" pieces
2 stalks celery, diced
3 cups fresh spinach
Kosher or sea salt to taste
1/4 to 1/2 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp allspice
1 tsp paprika
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (can substitute cayenne pepper or 1/3 cup salsa)
4 cups vegetable broth (can substitute with chicken)
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
 1 (14.5) can diced tomatoes
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (can substitute navy, black, pinto, red, or chick peas)

Directions:
Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, stir to combine, cover and cook on low 8 hours (4 on high if you are in a time crunch) or until carrots are tender.

If you prefer a thicker soup, near the end of cooking time, remove 1/2 cup of soup (veggies and broth) and place in blender.  Add 1-2TBSP flour or corn starch and puree (or you can mash the ingredients and whisk the flour or cornstarch in).  Pour back into crockpot and continue cooking until the soup thickens, about 15 minutes.

You can also try adding 1lb of your favorite cooked or canned meat (chicken, ham, beef).

Makes 6  1-1/2 cup servings

Basic Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 182
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fat: 0g
Protein: 10g
 

Heaven On Earth "Skinny" Soda Bread

Have you ever heard of Tastefully Simple? I LOVE Tastefully Simple food. So, so good. So many favorites...this Beer Batter Bread being right at the top.  Others super tasties include, but are not limited to their Key Lime Cheese Ball and my newest indulgence the Irish Cream Fudge Sauce  (added a TBSP to my hot chocolate yesterday.  Squeal! I think I may be drooling...yep, I'm drooling.) 

Anyhow...

I'm not trying to steal their thunder here. I promise.  I LOVE them.  And it's not the price of their products either, okay....maybe a little...but usually I am totally willing to pay that kind of money for that kind of perfection.

That's not the problem .  The problem for us is that a lot of my favorite products, including the Beer Batter Bread, are manufactured in a plant with peanuts/tree nuts. That doesn't bode well for my child who is deathly allergic to cashews. I can make it here but he can't have any.  Which means I can't give any to my other kids ("not fair").  Which means I end up making it AFTER the kids are in bed.  And then it's just the hubby and I.  And then I end up eating half of the loaf on my own (true story, happened yesterday).....and that doesn't go along so well with the whole "trying to lose weight" thing so I just HAD to find a better solution. These kids should not have to be deprived of such a delicacy and I should not be allowed to indulge alone in it.

I found a simple copy cat recipe and tweaked it a bit, making it a bit more skinnylicious.

So, without further ado.

Heaven on Earth "Skinny" Soda Bread  

(commonly known as Beer Batter Bread)

adapted from this recipe at Food.com

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 TBSP baking powder
3 TBSP sugar
1 tsp salt
1 (12oz) can carbonated soda**--see notes
3 TBSP unsalted butter, melted (omit for "skinny"--trust me, it doesn't need it)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.  Add soda/beer all at once.  Mix vigorously for 20-30 seconds, just until well combined.  Batter will be thick and lumpy.  Scrape and spread batter into a greased 9x5inch loaf pan.  Bake in the oven 35-40 minutes, until sides separate from pan and knife in the center comes out clean.  Turn out onto rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.   12 servings per loaf  (Nutrition Info--each slice:  calories: 125, carbs: 30g, fat: 0g, protein 3g)

Notes:
The sweeter the soda, the sweeter the end product will be.  Lemon-lime is fairly middle ground.  Orange soda will make it VERY sweet and ginger-ale or club soda will drastically cut it down.  Play with the recipe.  Experiment.  You can even use rootbeer, cola, or carbonated juice.  Whatever.  The carbonation is the key.

 This recipe is fantastic as is.  FANTASTIC!

But it's also very versatile.  If you feel like mixin' it up a bit, here are a few variations.


Melanie's (that's me) Cinnamon and Sugar Soda Bread (pictured above)
Prepare recipe as directed above.  Once the loaf is spread into the pan, pour 1 TBSP melted, unsalted butter over the dough.  Combine 3 TBSP sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.  Sprinkle over melted butter and bake as directed above.   Or divide into muffin tins for a scrumptious breakfast treat.  12 servings per loaf. (Nutrition info--each slice:  calories: 145, carbs: 33g, fat: 1g, protein: 3g)

Other ideas from Tastefully Simple, themselves:
*Mix Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese into batter for an Italian twist. 
*Add carbonated juice, nuts, and diced fruit to make muffins or breakfast breads.
*Make cornbread by substituting liquid with a 16 oz can of creamed corn and 1/3 cup oil.
* Drizzle with honey
*Spread with butter and sprinkle with Seasoned Salt; then grill.
* Use cubed bread for bread pudding.

Also...a not so sweet version of this is SO SO SO GOOD with warm dips.  Think spinach, and/or artichoke, nacho cheese, you get the idea.  Ooohhhh...I think I may need a bib.

I hope you enjoy it.  I know I will.
 

How To: Clean and Deodorize Your Dishwasher

Does your dishwasher look like this?

(or some other nasty variation of it?)

Do you find little food particles stuck to your "clean" dishes?

Do your dishes smell "fishy", even after they have been washed?

Mine did.  And it was grossing me out.  Big time.   

So I did a little research (here and here) and set about fixing the problem. 

All it takes is a little vinegar.  Really!   

HOW TO:  CLEAN/DEODORIZE YOUR DISHWASHER

Step 1  Fill a cup or bowl with 1 cup vinegar (distilled white is best).  

Step 2  Place cup/bowl on top rack of EMPTY dishwasher.

Step 3  Run dishwasher through a REGULAR wash cycle, hot of water as possible (heat dry not necessary)

VIOLA!

Not brand new...but a VAST improvement.

I even stuck my head in there and "took a big whiff".

Ahhh....fresh.  No more "fishy" smell.

For more extensive cleaning/deodorizing try these tips:

1.  Remove utensil holder and lower rack

2.  Use an old toothbrush or dish scrubber to clean around inside of dishwasher door (paying close attention to crevices and rubber seal) with HOT soapy water.

3.  Use a sponge or clean cloth to wipe down the entire interior of the dishwasher, including the bottom (pay close attention to the drain where food particles collect).

4.  Replace utensil holder and lower rack. 

5.  Repeat steps 1,2 and 3 from above, only pour an additional cup of vinegar over the bottom of the dishwasher as well.

Simple as that!

"Angry Birds" Cake

 
Yeah...we're pretty big "Angry Birds" fans around here. The "fever" became even hotter when we got the kids Angry Birds: Knock On Wood Game and Angry Birds plushes for Christmas.  Now we can't seem to get enough of them.

(I've become quite the master builder and they the master "knock-er-down-ers)

So it didn't surprise me too much when Little Red picked an "Angry Birds" cake for his birthday a few days ago.  

We googled and pinterested (Yep.  I make up my own words) and didn't come up with anything this cake decorating rookie thought she could manage.  Everything was made with fondant (including the characters), which I DO NOT do (I can barely handle store bought tub frosting), so I had to come  up with something else.  I packed all 4 of my XY's into the car and headed to Winco with this particular card (which Little Red picked out from the game) as inspiration.

Shopping for ingredients becomes a difficult task when you have a child with nut allergies (birthday boy) so we had to get creative.  The original plan was to use Little Debbie Nutty Bars (which I would still recommend using if you can) but turns out they are manufactured in a plant with tree nuts (he's deathly allergic to cashews) so we had to strike that plan and find another solution. We settled for these instead:

Now...for the birds/pigs.....  

We scoured the bulk section and decided on these:

It took a bit of time, manipulation, and a tooth pick, but I was really satisfied with the results.

The pigs

black and red bird

yellow birds

pigs:  green Tootsie pop, Tootsie rolls
black/red birds:  Tootsie pops, Tootsie rolls, sprinkles (for eyes)
yellow birds: dots in center (to form Tootsie roll around), Tootsie rolls and sprinkles (for eyes)

Now for the cake:

I used a regular 9 x 13 sized cake (you could definitely go bigger) and frosted and textured it, with the back of a frosting knife.  You could also try coloring coconut and sprinkling it on top (I didn't because my kids don't like it).

Add some regular ol' kabob skewers to stabilize the structure (if using Nutty Bars you may not need these...just a bit of frosting to hold it together)...

 even from the back

and WALLAH!

  ANGRY BIRD CAKE!

Now....I have to say that I would STILL recommend using the Nutty Bars if you can.

Cream filled cake pieces were just not as stable (even with the skewers) as I would have liked them to be.

After falling over three times, from the sheer weight of the structure, 

we decided to let it rest.

 The kids thought that was pretty cool too.

("Just like in the game")

Whew...thank goodness.

The best part about it...

the entire thing was edible (unlike nasty fondant).

The birds/pigs were the kids favorite part.

and when they're happy....I'm happy.

It was a really fun project/cake.  I wouldn't hesitate doing it again.

So what do you think?  Any ideas on what I could have done to make it more stable?  I'd love some feedback!

Laundry Updates PLUS How To: Deodorize your washing machine

It's been two months since I first started seeking out tips to save money in the laundry room.  I thought it time I report back.

First, the Homemade Laundry Soap is working out fabulously.  Now, although I have never been a Tide snob, I do have certain expectations for the cleanliness of my laundry and this soap passes the test.  Which is fantastic...because it's Super cheap and easy to make.  In fact, I'm making my second batch today.

We've been using vinegar as a natural deodorizer/fabric softener, as a supplement to the Homemade Laundry Soap , for "soiled" loads of laundry (thanks for the tip livingrichwithcoupons).  It totally works.  I highly recommend it.  (Fresh smelling underwears and sheets makes for one happy mama).

Speaking of vinegar and laundry (I swear, do I ever have a chance to think about anything else?), today I wanted to share something new with you.

How To:  Deodorize Your Washing Machine

Have you ever opened up the lid to your washer and almost passed out from the stench.  I used to...all of the time.  Then, one day, I couldn't take it anymore and went about looking for a way to remedy this problem, without spending a lot of $$ on those brand name (expensive) washing machine cleaners you can find at the store.

That's when I came upon some pretty interesting information (at ehow.com).

In 1999, Dr. Charles Gerba, a University of Arizona professor, conducted a study on the cleanliness of Americans' washing machines. After washing a sterile washcloth in 60 homes, he found evidence of fecal matter and E.coli in approximately 25 percent of the machines. Dr. Gerba theorizes that laundry has become less clean due to fewer Americans using bleach and hot water in addition to shorter washing and drying cycles. Deodorizing your washing machine should be a frequent task not only to eliminate odors, but to kill the bacteria and germs left behind when you finish a load of laundry.

Nasty, yes?  Luckily, following were some tips on how to clean out said odors/bacteria....which I got to, right away.

First step: Pick your cleaning agent.....distilled white vinegar or bleach.

To clean interior (rim, lid and dispensers) and exterior of your washing machine:  Soak a cloth in equal parts distilled white vinegar (or bleach) and hot water.  Wipe all surfaces thoroughly. **Don't forget the rubber seal (especially on a front loader)**.  Allow surfaces to dry and resume normal use.

To clean the tub:  Start a normal wash cycle and allow the tub to fill with HOT water.  Once full, add one GALLON of distilled white vinegar (or 2 CUPS bleach) and allow machine to completely run through the cycle (washing, spinning, rinsing, draining).

WALLAH!  Stench free and sparkling!  For under $2.

Other tips/ideas:
*Leave the lid of your washer open in between loads to allow for drying/airing out.
* If you frequently wash in cold or warm water, consider adding at least one HOT water load to your weekly routine to prevent mold and mildew from forming.
*According to ConsumerReports.org, four common culprits cause odors most frequently in washing machines: using too much detergent, using fabric softener, washing clothes in cold water, and infrequent use. Modifying these habits may decrease the need to deodorize your machine as often.


Have a happy, stink free day, y'all!  :)

Custom Coat Hanger---Yes! It's finally up!

If you'll remember, several weeks back, I set out to find a solution for this problem:

I think you will agree that this coat rack is far to small for our families "needs".

I was inspired by Katie from Project: Possible and her post project: from empty wall to mud room to create something workable for my family/home.

I headed off to Home Depot and picked up an piece of scrap wood for $.87 and a round stick to cut dowels out of.  Then I sat on it and sat on it.

I sat on it because I realized that, while I loved her idea (and was SO in need of it's inspiration), it was not exactly what I wanted.  What I wanted was something a little fancier (because it would be a major decorative piece in my scantly decorated home), something that would last for a lifetime, and something that would easily accommodate our growing family (nope, not an announcement).

But...what I wanted was definitely going to cost me more than the $1.80 I had already forked out.  I so wanted this project to be super cheap.  Bummer.  What was a girl to do?

In the end, I turned from what was most frugal and, instead, went for what I really wanted, despite the cost difference.  (My mama always said, "Buy the best you can afford.")

At least I still used the $.87 piece of scrap wood.

I sanded, painted, distressed, polyurethane-ed, measured, drilled and added hooks (just under $4 each)....and this is what I ended up with.

 I LOVE IT!

Yeah...it cost me more than I originally intended but....the results are priceless.

Where else are you going to find a custom made coat hanger with seven (yes, 7!) double vertical hooks, spaced 3.5 inches apart, in the precise color you want....for under $35 dollars?

Nowhere!  

Believe me...I looked.

And....despite our sincerely lacking carpentry skills, my husband and I FINALLY got it hung on the wall.

(See how nice and organized everything is?)

Amish Friendship Bread

This is what I gave out for frugal neighbor gifts this year and, I must say that we, ourselves, have been enjoying it (every 10 days...he he he) ever since.

It's the gift/recipe that just keeps on giving and giving and....you get the idea.

What I like most about it is that it's cheap, it's flexible and it always turns out very tasty.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

IMPORTANT NOTES:  Do NOT use ANY type of metal spoon, bowl, whisk, or beaters...

(see note* below).

DO NOT refrigerate

Batter will rise, bubble and ferment...

if using a plastic bag, let air out as needed.

STARTER:

1 pkg active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)

1 cup sifted flour

1 cup white sugar

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees)

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes.  Stir well.  In a 2-quart glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine flour and sugar.  Mix thoroughly (or flour will get lumpy when milk is added).  Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture.  Loosely cover the mixture with lid or plastic wrap...or place in a plastic zip bag.  The mixture will get bubbly, let air out as needed.  Consider this Day 1 of the 10 day cycle, or the day you received the starter.  For the next 10 days handle the starter as follows:

Day 1- make or receive the starter, do nothing

Day 2- Stir starter in bowl, or if starter is in a plastic bag, mush the bag

Day 3- Stir or mush bag

Day 4- Stir or mush bag

Day 5- Stir or mush bag

Day 6- Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.  Stir to mix or mush the bag.

Day 7- Stir or mush bag

Day 8- Stir or mush bag

Day 9- Stir or mush bag

Day 10- Follow these instructions

If in a bag, pour the contents of the bag into a non-metal bowl.  Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cup flour and 1 1/2 cups milk.  Stir (with a non-metal spoon or whisk).  Measure one cup batter into four 1-gallon zip bags and give away, along with a copy of the recipe.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Add the following to the remaining 1 cup batter:

3 eggs

1 cup oil (or 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce)

1-2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 large or 2 small boxes instant pudding**

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sugar (some recipes don't call for this)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups flour

Grease two large loaf pans.  In a small bowl, mix together, an additional, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon.  Dust the greased pans with 1/2 of this mixture.  Pour batter evenly into the two pans and sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top.  Bake 50-60 minutes.  Cool bread until it loosens evenly from the pan (about 10 minutes).  Serve warm or cold.  

*NOTE:  Because of the starters extremely acidic properties, the use of metals can cause a chemical reaction that messes with the fermentation process and basically kills the yeast (not to mention contaminating the starter).  There are some arguments as to whether clean, stainless steel can be used for the starters.  I don't use it.  I do, however, use my stainless steel beaters after the starters have all been divided up and placed in bags and I am prepping the rest of the ingredients for baking. 

**You can use any flavor pudding you want.  Try using one small vanilla and one small banana cream.  Try one large chocolate pudding plus add 2 TBSP cocoa powder for super yummy chocolate bread.  The possibilities are endless.  You can find lots of varieties (like lemon poppyseed, banana or apple) on allrecipes.com .  

Today I tried 1 small box butterscotch and 3 boxes chocolate pudding...then added chocolate chips (pictured above).  SO YUMMY!

Helpful Hint (I got this idea from my mom):  When giving away to others, it's always nice to include the date of your starter (day 1), the date they will need to add ingredients (day 6), and they date they will bake (day 10).  like so:

Remember that if you keep a starter for yourself, you will be baking it every 10 days.  If you get tired of the cycle....give all the starters away and make some for yourself again when you are well rested and ready to go again.  :)

Happy Baking and Making Friendships!