Festive Frosted Mason Jars for the Holiday Season

 Making frosted Mason jars is fun. This craft is easy enough for kids to do and the end product is just beautiful. Make one or a dozen; it’s up to you.

Here’s what you need:  

• 1/2 cup Epsom Salt
• 1 teaspoon White Glitter
• 1 Mason Jar
• Mod Podge
• Sponge Paint Brush
• Jute Twine
• Evergreen Sprigs
• Battery-operated tea light

Here’s what to do:

1. Place Epsom salt and glitter into a pie tin or shallow baking pan (large enough to keep the mixture contained and off countertops and floors). Mix thoroughly.
2. Using the sponge paint brush, paint the entire outside of the mason jar with mod podge. Work quickly to ensure mod podge does not dry.
3. Cover the jar with the Epsom salt and glitter mixture. You can dip it until it is covered, or scoop the mixture and sprinkle it over the wet mod podge. Coat thoroughly. Set aside and allow to dry completely.
4. Gently dab mod podge over the Epsom salt and glitter to set the coating. Set aside and allow to dry completely.
5. Wrap the jute twine several times around the threads at the top of the jar, adding an evergreen sprig. Secure with a knot or bow.
6. Place the battery-operated tea light inside. Enjoy the sparkly glow.

 

Notes:

1. Use any size jar. This will also work with clear flower vases, baby food jars, or other clear glass containers.
2. If you can’t find Mod Podge, look for basic white liquid glue.
3. Swap out colorful curling ribbon for the jute twine, if you like.
4. Use fake evergreen sprigs or forage for real evergreens outside.
5. If you don’t mind having live flames, use a regular tea light candle in place of the battery-operated one.  

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Whole Grain Mustard #Recipe

Today, I made whole grain mustard and I am surprised by how flavorful and delicious it is. It has a pungent taste, a bit of heat, and a touch of sweetness. You won’t find mustard in the store with this kind of flavor. And it was very easy to make. Best of all, there are no chemicals, stabilizers, or preservatives in it. Only good, wholesome ingredients. A blender is the only special equipment you need. I use a Ninja, but a stick blender or regular blender should work just fine. My husband and I also made pretzels to go with the mustard. As you can see from the picture below, our rolling and shaping skills need honing. lol

Whole Grain Mustard 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup yellow mustard seeds
• 1/4 cup brown mustard seeds
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup water (or pale ale, if you like)
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Pour both types of mustard seeds into a small mixing bowl and whisk together until well blended.
2. Stir vinegar and water (or ale) into the mustard seeds until just combined.
3. Cover the mixture and set in a cool, dry place for 12 hours or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Stir the remaining ingredients into the mustard seed mixture and pour into a blender.
5. Pulse mixture 5 to 6 times before running the motor for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
6. Pour mixture into a sterilized glass jar, seal and refrigerate. Allow mustard to sit for 1 to 2 days before trying it.

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Wild Blueberry Smoothie

Delicious and filling, this smoothie satisfies me until lunch. Try it!

Wild Blueberry Smoothie  

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen wild blueberries (do not thaw)

3/4 cup vanilla flavored almond milk, unsweetened

1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

1/2 cup organic baby kale

1 tablespoon black Chia seeds

Place all ingredients in a blender (I have a Ninja Smoothie Maker) and blend until smooth.

Enjoy!

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Powder

I’ve seen lots of variations of the Buttermilk Ranch Powder recipe floating around the internet, lately. So I thought I’d give it a whorl. I've added more of this, less of that, and I've substituted white pepper for black because I think its milder nature lets the other spices shine. Here’s my version of the powder. Use it when cooking chicken, vegetables, casseroles, and anything else you can think of. How about Air Fried Ranch Potato Wedges? Or Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Breasts?

Of course, you could buy your own ready made ranch dressing powder. Hidden Valley makes it. And so does the Spice Enthusiast. Buy why buy it when you can make your own? Here’s how:

Buttermilk Ranch Powder

Ingredients:  

• 1/2 cup Buttermilk Powder
• 2 tablespoons Parsley Flakes
• 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
• 2 teaspoons Dried Chives
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Dill
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon White Pepper

·     Directions:

Thoroughly mix together all ingredients and store in an air-tight glass jar. Mix it into mayonnaise, sour cream, Greek yogurt, bread crumbs, and more to add a creamy goodness to your food.

Let your imagination run wild as you make your favorite dips, dressings, coatings, marinades, and more. From hamburgers to hummus and everything in between, this buttermilk ranch powder will add a boost of flavor to your favorite dishes.  

Happy Spring, everyone!

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Advice from a Redhead

 I have been having fun with my Advice from a Redhead memes. The graphic is bright and fun, and coming up with witty advice keeps my creative juices flowing. I post these memes on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Post.News, Instagram - but I realize that some of my followers don't have social media accounts. So I thought I'd post a few on my blog so you could see them. Let me know what you think in the comment section.