Stop Buying, Start Making

How to Make Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

I finally got around to posting my Homemade Dishwasher Tabs...and was amazed by how enthusiatic the response was! So I decided to start doing more cleaning stuff. I tested half a dozen different recipes from all over the internet for all-purpose cleaner. And have the best for you! The best was by "Living Well, Spending Less." It was actually a... Read More

How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs

You would not believe the amount of testing and photographs I took in my quest find a homemade dishwasher detergent that was any good. I was very happy with the final winner, though! The best part? It has a tendency to harden...which I leveraged into making dishwasher detergent tabs. No measuring. Just throw it in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent tabs... Read More

Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Mix

This Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Mix is very versatile. I use it both to make homemade dressing as well as in "Ridiculously Easy Italian Chicken." (I named it that because it's so easy I feel a little guilty making it). I'm going to be upfront though. This is NOT a copycat version of Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix. I... Read More

How to Make Easy Homemade Salted Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce

Homemade Salted Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce. Easy to make. Delicious, rich deep sweet taste with a dash of saltiness. & The Great Butterscotch Debate. The smell of simmering butterscotch. The taste: deep, rich, sweetness with just a tad of salty. Smothered over Butterscotch Blondie Cheesecake, or ice cream, or straight out of the jar. Okay, maybe I'm the only one guilty... Read More

Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning: How to Make & Where to Use

Oddly enough, I discovered Montreal Steak Seasoning (also known as Montreal Steak Spice) when I was trying a pork recipe. I tried store-bought first...and wasn't impressed. Since I already have an entire series dedicated to "Stop Buying, Start Making," I decided to add this steak seasoning recipe to my repartee. As I was investigating various blends (they're all very similar),... Read More

Bread Making 101: How to Make Bread, Everything You Need to Know

There are a few things in the baking world that seem almost magical to others. Bread making is one of those. To those who haven’t made homemade bread, it seems mysterious and vast. Unknown terms and the unknown magic of yeast. But it doesn’t need to be. People have been making bread since…well, the beginning of recorded history. It only seems so… Read More

How to Bake the Perfect Loaf of French Bread

Perfect, crusty French bread. Which is better? The crusty, chewy outside? The soft, delicate inside? The combination together? Whatever your choice, this recipe is fabulous. I love it warm smothered with butter. This recipe isn’t hard. Even though it’s homemade bread, it’s straight-forward. But as with all bread, don’t be discouraged if your first loaf isn’t perfect. I’ve included step-by-step pictures… Read More

15 Fabulous Fall Oatmeal Flavors: Cheap, Easy, & Free Printable

Fall is a season that calls for nice, warm breakfasts. And since it has finally cooled off a bit, I decided to share some of my new fall oatmeal flavors. Pumpkin pie spice. Apple pie spice. Apple chips. Raisins. Maple. Why do I love these jars so much? These are cheap (MUCH cheaper than buying the pre-mixed versions at the store). They’re easy:… Read More

Shrimp Fried Rice & Homemade White Shrimp Sauce

We love Japanese hibachi (especially shrimp fried rice). And the white shrimp sauce. Oh, the white shrimp sauce is amazing! And we were lucky enough to be stationed near a good restaurant on our first two duty stations. Then we moved to Washington state. Washington has a lot going for it: year-round temperate weather, skiing, supermarkets filled with specialty items.... Read More

Easy Homemade Blueberry-Lemon Dressing

Blueberries, lemon, honey…2 minutes (counting the time to wash the blueberries). This Homemade Blueberry Lemon Dressing is much better tasting than any dressing you can buy in the store. I’ve been amazed how easy it is to actually make a variety of homemade dressings! (Though I do admit my husband refuses to eat it. He won’t eat anything but ranch. Hidden… Read More