Fresh Pasta Sauce For Lazy Cooks

The notion of traditional homemade pasta sauce is so romantic. Thinking about lovely red tomatoes, simmered for hours with fresh Italian spices, is simply delightful. Well, it would be delightful to eat... but (for me) not to make.
Confession: I don't like to cook!
So, when I found my kitchen full of this year's tomato harvest, I knew I'd need to find a few ways to cut corners. If I was going to be motivated to cook with them, I needed a few short cuts!

Enter: Instant Pot pasta sause

After all, they were simply too pretty not to use!
Luckily for me I have two new kitchen gadgets that help speed along the process quite well!

Meet my gadgets:

The Instant Pot and the Stick Blender. These are 2 kitchen accessories that I recommend any cook (lazy or otherwise) add to their arsenal.

Step One:

Simply wash and dice your tomatoes.
There'll be no blanching or removal of seeds here. This is a guide for lazy cooks!

I used a mix of roma tomatoes, and beefsteak. While traditionally, marinara sauce is made with just roma tomatoes, any kind will work.

Then, just toss diced tomatoes into your Instant Pot (see link above). I didn't measure at all, I just kept chopping and filling until I got close to the "Max Fill" line.

Step Two:

Toss in some flavor. Again, I din't measure anything here (remember: lazy).
I added (what was probably about 2-3 teaspoons of) dried thyme and basil.

Drizzle a (roughly) few tablespoons of olive oil into the mix too.

Also, because I happened to have fresh garlic around I added about 4 cloves of that.

I squished it in the garlic press, but since you'll be using a stick blender later, you probably don't even need to bother with that; just toss 'em in.

If you don't have fresh garlic, a couple teaspoons of garlic powder would work too.

Step Three:

I'm so fortunate, because anytime I want to use bay leaves in my cooking, I just walk out to my backyard and grab a couple off of the huge bay laurel tree growing outside my door. 

If you don't happen to have one of these trees nearby, don't fret, you can also get bay leaves dried in the spice section of your grocery store.

Toss a couple of bay leaves in with all the other ingredients, and add some salt. I put in (about) 3 teaspoons of salt. Be careful with the salt though, don't go overboard. You can always add more salt later if you want to.

Mix it all up with a big spoon and secure the lid of the Instant Pot. 

Then, set your Instant Pot to "Manual/High Pressure" for 10 minutes, Quick release (QR). 

Walk away. Do something else for a while. Bonus points for doing something frivolous!

Now you just let it do it's thing. It will take a little while to heat up, then it will go through the cooking cycle (counting down from 10). 

Once it's done release the steam/ pressure by moving the little lever on the lid. Wait for it to stop steaming and carefully remove the lid.  

Step Four:

Remove bay leaves and discard.

You'll notice that, while it looks beautiful, it doesn't quite look like tomato sauce yet. This is easily fixed. Just grab your stick blender, set it to high and give it some good swirls through the sauce. 

I blended for about a minute. I wanted it to still be slightly chunky, with some larger pieces of tomato remaining. For the most part seeds and skin get mashed up with everything else. And, if a few of these remain, it's all the better because it means you can tell that this is fresh sauce. No jars here baby!

Step Five:

You might notice that the constancy is a bit too watery. No problem! Just dump all of the sauce into a fine mesh strainer. 

Immediately some of the watery part will drain out. Give it a couple of swirls with a mixing spoon to help it along. For even thicker sauce, let it sit for a minute or two. Or, transfer immediately back to Instant Pot (or other) container. 

Stir and serve!

Store in the refrigerator for up to five days, or freeze for later use (up to six months). 

Enjoy, and be sure to brag about how you made this fresh tomato sauce "from scratch"!

That's all, thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to these fun parties:

http://tidymom.net/2016/homemade-after-school-snack-recipes/
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/creativity-unleashed-link-party/
http://www.mysuburbankitchen.com/2016/08/pinworthy-projects-party-162/#
http://dianarambles.com/2016/08/pin-linky-party-203.html

http://www.simplysweethome.com/2016/08/friday-favorites-linky-party-week-334/

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.ca/2016/08/flaunt-it-friday-318.html

http://www.avisiontoremember.com/2016/08/the-creative-exchange-august-18.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2016/08/home-sweet-home-285.html

http://www.skiptomylou.org/made-by-you-monday-16/

http://madincrafts.com/mad-skills-party-335/

http://diyshowoff.com/2016/08/21/diy-party-91-11/

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/inspired-social-media-share-party/

http://titicrafty.com/2016/08/bewitchin-projects-now-inspiration-galore-project-party/

http://www.sewcando.com/2016/08/craftastic-monday-link-party.html

http://www.raegunramblings.com/2016/08/back-to-school-crafts-recipes-and-more.html

http://www.thecasualcraftlete.com/2016/08/21/creative-gallery-194/

https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/08/24/homesteader-hop-17/

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2016/08/mix-it-up-monday_21.html

Waldorf Train Track Hack

My kids love trains, and playing with model train tracks. Meanwhile, I love the dreamy quality of a Waldorf inspired play environment, and the natural materials that most Waldorf inspired toys are made form.

Enter: Hand painted toy train tracks!

While there are many lovely brands and wooden train products available on the market, most of them are above our price range. Plus, many of the trains themselves are mechanical. I like the idea of having "back to basics" toys that don't use batteries. If my boys want their trains engines to roar, then they can use their own voices to make that happen!

Keeping these goals in mind lead me to Ikea of all places! Over the years, I've grown to regret most of my furniture purchases from this Swedish giant. But, I've found a lot of nice wooden toys there, and even a some good nature inspired kid's books.

One of our favorites is their inexpensive wooden train sets.

If you don't live near an Ikea store, you can order them from the manufacture on line. Or, since their shipping can be expensive, you can also find the trains on Amazon:

I am very inspired by the ideas and concepts of Waldorf education, and I make an effort to create an environment for my children that reflects this philosophy. One of the things that intrigues me visually about a Waldorf inspired space is the color. Dreamy rainbows and soft colors grace many of things in a Waldorf classroom.

In fact, one of the main mediums for creating art (in the Waldorf method) is through the use of watercolor paint.

Looking at our wooden trains stretching across the floor one day, I had an idea. I could use watercolor paint to add some beauty and magic to an otherwise plain looking toy!

I knew that the transparent nature of watercolor pigment would add lovely color, while still allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine through.

Supplies:

Unfinished wooden toy train tracks

(If you don't want to use the Ikea ones, you could also use these):

Watercolor paint

A soft watercolor brush (sable is the best)

Jar with water (for rinsing brush)

This turned out to be a rather easy project. Both kids and adults could participate, and enjoy creating their own unique train set. Also, you could use any wooden train tracks for this project, they don't have to be the Ikea version.

Because I knew I wanted an ethereal airy quality, I decided to use two colors for each track. My goal was for them to blend together, and have one hue fade into the other.

To make this "blended" effect more seamless, I chose only analogous colors (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, or in the rainbow). 

This lead me to chose from the following color combinations: 

Red and orange, orange and yellow, yellow and green, green and blue, blue and purple, and purple and red. 

To start, I covered one end of a track with one color (in this case green). I wanted the pigment to be saturated near the outer end of the track so I applied a heavy coat (more paint, less water). 

Then, by diluting the paint with water, I pulled a small amount of the pigment toward the middle of the track. Eventually, it included such a small amount of color that it was practically clear. 

Also note that, if your brush is too wet, you can always remove a bit of the water by dabbing it on a paper towel. 

Next, starting at the opposite end of the track, I did the same thing with my second color choice (this time yellow).  I made the paint thicker at the end, and then thinned it as I worked toward the middle. 

I over lapped the two colors for about an inch. In this way the two hues blended together, one fading seamlessly into the next.

Or, if you would rather keep it simple (or perhaps if you are working with young children) you could simply paint each piece of track one color. The result will still be lovely! 

Some tracks are two sided. So after one side is dry, be sure to paint the other side too.

This is such a great way to create wonder and intrigue, and a beautiful play space.

Assemble your tracks, and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!

Linking up to these fun parties:

http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.net/2016/07/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-294.html

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/inspire-monday-121/

http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/07/titus-2-tuesday-216.html

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2016/07/show-tell-link-party-time-56-13.html

http://thecraftyblogstalker.com/create-link-inspire-linky-party-138/

http://www.carolynshomework.com/2016/07/the-inspiration-board-creative-party_19.html

http://tidymom.net/2016/salad-recipes/

http://pintsizedbaker.com/two-cup-tuesday-no-184/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/made-by-you-monday-11/

http://diyshowoff.com/2016/07/24/diy-party-91-8/

http://titicrafty.com/2016/07/bewitchin-projects-block-party-158/

http://www.sewcando.com/2016/07/share-your-projects-at-craftastic.html

http://www.thecasualcraftlete.com/2016/07/24/the-creative-gallery-190/

http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/giveaway-creativity-unleashed-link-party-week-132/

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2016/07/mix-it-up-monday_24.html

http://www.simplysweethome.com/2016/08/friday-favorites-week-332-breakfast-delights/

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.ca/#

http://www.raisingmemories.com/2016/08/august-2016-sharing-time.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2016/08/home-sweet-home-283.html

How to Make a Daisy Chain

Spring is here (or near) and the daisies are blooming!




Nothing says "childhood" like an inviting patch of green clovers, and delicate white flowers.

The next time you come across these sweet signs of spring, try this simple craft.





First, pick a batch of flowers, trying to select the ones with long stems.

For the next step, I used a pocket knife, but your fingernail can work just as well.

Cut a small slit in the end of one of the stems. Be careful that it doesn't go all the way to the edge.

Next, thread the end of another flower through the hole you've just created. This should feel like threading a needle.

Then, gently pull one stem through the other, until the flower itself stops it from going any farther.

How to make a flower necklace 

After that, repeat the process over again, making a hole in the stem of the most recently added flower. Continue to do this until you have reached your desired length.

Soon you should have a chain of flowers!

Loop it around your neck, and tie a loose knot in the back.

Enjoy!

These can be made into crowns, bracelets, necklaces and more!

Also, after making these sweet chains, you may want to enjoy the classic book Daisy-Head Mayzie
By Dr Seuss

Daisy Head Mayzie

Thanks for stopping by, and happy crafting!

Linking up to these fun blogs:

http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com

http://www.skiptomylou.org/made-by-you-monday-276/

http://madincrafts.com/mad-skills-party-298/

http://diyshowoff.com/2016/02/14/that-diy-party-80/

http://titicrafty.com/2016/02/bewitchin-projects-block-party-136/

http://www.sewcando.com/2016/02/valentines-craftastic-monday-link-party.html

http://www.raegunramblings.com/2016/02/scrumptious-dessert-recipes.html

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2016/02/mix-it-up-monday-blog-party-without.html

http://www.thecasualcraftlete.com/2016/02/14/the-creative-gallery-167/

http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.net/2016/02/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-272.html

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/inspire-me-monday-99/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/tip-me-tuesday-happy-crafters-share-2-16/

http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/02/titus-2-tuesday-194.html

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2016/02/show-and-tell-link-party-time-46.html

http://thecraftyblogstalker.com/create-link-inspire-linky-party-116/

http://www.carolynshomework.com/2016/02/the-inspiration-board-creative-party_16.html

http://ladybug-blessings.com/?p=6465

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2016/02/wow-me-wednesday-244.html

 http://www.mygirlishwhims.com

 http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2016/02/wow-us-wednesdays-261.html

How to Clean Block Crayons

I love using Waldorf inspired art supplies. One thing that is commonly found in a Waldorf classroom is a set of lovely block crayons.

The most commonly used brand is Stockmar Beeswax Block Crayons. These delightful crayons really are the best available! You can purchase them easily here:

  

Occasionally with use, and when stored next to each other these crayons can get a little messy. When they bump into each other they'll pick up the pigment from another color.

Before

Recently I was lucky enough to purchase an entire bag full of them secondhand. However, these block crayons needed to be cleaned desperately!

Luckily there is an easy way to clean block crayons. All you need is some coconut oil and a rag. I found that an old terrycloth rag worked the best.
This is a much-loved brand of coconut oil:

Just cover the crayon in a generous amount of coconut oil and firmly rub off all of the extra pigment.

How to clean block crayons 

This process does take a while, so be patient and keep at it!
Soon your crayons will begin to look like new.

Before long I had a shiny "new" stash of clean block crayons!

If you don't happen to have any coconut oil on hand, you can also use olive oil, or even GooGone works. 

I can't speak to the toxicity of this stuff, but I can say it is a miracle worker!

Then, once they were clean I need a way to store them so that they weren't side-by-side anymore. I found this sweet crayon holder on Etsy. 

Hopefully someday I'll be able to fill in the missing spots by purchasing individual Stockmar stick crayons . But for now, this roll-up holder works great! 

 

Thanks for stopping by, and happy coloring!

How to clean crayons :)

Linking up to:

http://www.skiptomylou.org/made-by-you-monday-275/

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/be-inspired-link-party-no-81/

http://diyshowoff.com/2016/02/07/that-diy-party-79/

http://madincrafts.com/mad-skills-party-297/

http://www.sewcando.com/2016/02/craftastic-monday-link-party.html

http://www.raegunramblings.com/2016/02/diy-valentines-day-decor-ideas.html

http://www.thecasualcraftlete.com/2016/02/07/the-creative-gallery-166/

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2016/02/wow-me-wednesday-243.html#more

http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2016/02/your-whims-wednesday-248-and-features.html

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2016/02/wow-us-wednesdays-260.html

http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2016/02/simple-and-sweet-gift-ideas-for.html

http://thenymelrosefamily.com/2016/02/whimsy-wednesdays-206.html/2

http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/show-off-your-creations-204/



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