June 18th, 2013
What says summer more than a couple of kids sitting outside at a lemonade stand? The refreshing taste of the lemonade paired with the adorable entrepreneurs makes for a classic American summer memory that everyone can recall. Why not take the lemonade stand up a notch from old plastic wagons and card tables, and make this super cute stand for your kids? It’s a project the whole family can be involved with and is sure to recreate those idyllic childhood memories.
Lemonade Stand via Lil’ Luna (http://lilluna.com/tutorial-tuesday-vintage-lemonade-stand/)
For this project you will need:
- 1 1/2 or 2 inch dry-wall screws
- Carriage bolts and wing nuts
Here is a great recipe for some old fashioned lemonade to sell at your stand! Be sure to keep plenty of ice and cups handy, because once people get a taste of this refreshing drink, they’re sure to come back for more! It makes about eight cups, so increase the recipe accordingly for how big you want your batch.
Homemade Lemonade via The Seasonal Gourmet (http://theseasonalgourment.ca/2011/07/17/old-fashioned-lemonade/)
- 12 large lemons (for three cups of juice)
- 1-1/2 to 2 cups white sugar (to taste)
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 tray of ice cubes (about 14 cubes)
1. Juice eleven of the lemons – they should yield about 3 cups of lemon juice. Pour the juice into a large pitcher through a strainer to get rid of any seeds and pulp.
2. Slice the remaining lemon into slices and remove any seeds. Set aside.
3. Stir 1-1/2 cups of sugar into the lemon juice until it fully dissolves. Add the water and stir to combine. Adjust the sugar and water to taste if necessary.
4. Empty a tray of ice cubes into the pitcher and add the lemon slices.
5. Enjoy!
Tags: DIY, DIY lemonade stand, DIY project, kid projects, lemonade, lemonade recipe, lemonade stand, Mr. Appliance, summer, summer drinks, summer lemonade, summer projects
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May 28th, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Summer is here and it is time to serve your guests the tastes of the season. Celebrate the longest day of the year with fresh fruit from the local farmer’s market and herbs picked right from the backyard garden. This featured appetizer and sparkling drink will make guests remember this social as the party that made the sun stand still.
Fried Polenta with Veggies
Fried Polenta with Veggies
-1 package of polenta, sliced
-Seasonal vegetables, sliced
Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Mushrooms, Jalapeno, Corn, Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Avocado, Artichoke Hearts
-1 sweet bulb onion, chopped
-1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 tsp mustard
-1/4 c and 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-Pinch of Salt
-Pinch of Pepper
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook polenta over medium-high heat in medium-sized pan with 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil until golden. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place polenta on paper towel to removed excess grease.
- Place all desired vegetables, onion and garlic on foil-covered baking sheet. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper over mixture. Bake for 15 minutes.
- In separate bowl, combine mustard, 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Coat cooked veggies in mixture. Place vegetables on top of polenta and serve as appetizer.
Sparkling Summer Solstice Sipper
Sparkling Summer Solstice Sipper
-1 part sparkling water
-1 part orange juice
-15 oz. can of sliced peaches, undrained
-Seasonal fruit, sliced
Mangoes, Blackberries
- In a large pitcher, mix sparkling water, orange juice and undrained can of peaches.
- Place sliced mangoes and blackberries in individual drinkware. Pour sparkling mix over fruit and serve chilled.
- Serve with Name Skewers and enjoy!
Party Sticks on Watermelon with Mint & Feta
Party Sticks
-1 Package of Wooden Skewers
-Craft tape
- Cut tape in 2-inch pieces. Place top of skewer in the middle of the tape and fold the outer sides of tape together.
- For Name Skewers: Have guests write their names on tape and place in drinking glass to avoid drink mix-ups.
- For Party Skewers: Write appetizer name on tape or leave blank and use different prints for different appetizers.
Tags: fried polenta, fried polenta with veggies, how to make party sticks, how to make party toothpicks, Lillyan, Lillyan Baker, Live Laugh and Learn with Lillyan, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Appliance Blog, MrAppliance, outdoor party, outdoor party recipes, polenta appetizers, polenta food ideas, polenta recipes, Recipes, roasted vegetable recipes, roasted veggies, sparkling drink, sparkling water drink, summer appetizer recipes, summer appetizers, summer drink recipes, summer drinks, summer outdoor party, summer party, Summer recipes, Summer social, Summer solstice social, watermelon with mint and feta, what to do with craft tape
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May 22nd, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Reduce. Reuse. Upcycle
Break free of the circle and follow the arrows to sustainable cleaning. Save money and fresh air this season by spring cleaning your household with products you can find behind milk cartons and spaghetti boxes. No need to make a special trip to the store, discover cleaning goods within your home that can transform your kitchen from the winter blues to the bright white of spring. Instead of recycling a used lemon wedge in compost, upcycle the acidic slice for a fresh and natural cleaner to help make your kitchen sparkle like season.
- Freshen Up. Eliminate odors by pouring vanilla extract into a bowl and wipe down refrigerator walls with a paper towel.
- Beyond the shelves. Clean condenser coils located behind the fridge with a brush or handheld vacuum to remove dirt, dust and pet hair.
- Cool it down. Place a handful of ice cubes and citrus peels in garbage disposal, turn on cold water and then the disposal for 15-30 seconds. After turning off disposal continue to rinse with hot water for 15 more seconds.
- Wash away. Remove stuck-on food residue by running an empty dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar.
- Mix it up. Wipe interior microwave surfaces with a mixture of two tablespoons baking soda and one quart water to remove food stains.
- Bright white. Use a sponge with a mixture of ½ cup bleach, ¼ cup baking soda and four cups warm water to avoid yellowing of white appliances. Let it set for 10 minutes before rinsing and drying.
Tags: cleaning for kitchen, household cleaning, how to clean kitchen, Lillyan Baker, Live Laugh and Learn with Lillyan, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Appliance Blog, MrAppliance, organic cleaning, organic kitchen cleaning, spring cleaning ideas, Spring Cleaning Tips, sustainable kitchen cleaning, sustainable kitchen ideas
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May 17th, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Wrap skewers in craft tape to label different appetizers.
The savory summer weather of late night dinners on the patio are just around the corner. I love having friends over for a light meal and an even sweeter dessert to catch up and enjoy time under the stars. There’s something about the thick, Texas air that makes me crave the coolness of watermelon. This featured appetizer is a great idea for a large party or small gathering. Finish the night with seasonal banana pudding and a dollop of fresh whipped cream to start your summer off on the right dish.
Watermelon with Mint & Feta
-Watermelon, cubed
-1/4 c Feta cheese
-1/4 c Mint, chopped
-2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
-Pinch of Salt
-Pinch of Pepper
- Combine feta, mint, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Place mixture on top of watermelon squares and serve with party skewers.
Serve Up the Sweetness
-3 c milk
-3 c vanilla wafers
-3 bananas, thinly sliced
-6 eggs, separated
-1 c heavy whipping cream
-1 Tbsp powdered sugar
-4 Tbsp butter
-1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
-Pinch of Salt
-Optional: Pistachios, shelled and minced
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Mix well. Add milk. Over medium heat, continue to stir until thickened and boiling. Remove custard from heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, then add in 1/2 cup of hot custard until blended. Pour mixture back into saucepan of custard and cut for an additional 4 minutes. Add vanilla and butter until well blended. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
3. Using a large electric mixer, mix the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar to form the whipped cream.
4. Spoon chilled banana pudding in individual serving bowls, top with whipped cream and vanilla wafers.
Optional: Add minced pistachios on top for nutty flavor and crunch.
Tags: Banana Pudding dessert, Banana Pudding recipe, Banana Pudding with Cream, Lillyan Baker, Live Laugh and Learn with Lillyan, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Appliance Blog, MrAppliance, summer desserts, summer party appetizers, summer party desserts, summer sweetness, watermelon appetizer, watermelon with feta, watermelon with mint
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May 15th, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Love Your Kitchen
Take time to love your appliances and they will love you back. Follow these steps from Mr. Appliance to cook up some romance, instead of frustration with inefficient appliances.
Give Your Oven Some Lovin’
- Don’t run the self-cleaning cycle within one week of a big dinner – ovens have a tendency to fail during or right after a self-cleaning cycle.
- Clean the reflector bowls under the burners to help cook more efficiently.
XOXO For Your Dishwasher
- If you’re unsure whether or not an item is dishwasher safe, just wash it by hand.
- Run an empty dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar to eliminate odors and buildup.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Smelling Like Roses
- Place a handful of ice cubes in the disposal. Add lemon, orange or lime peels and run disposal with cold water for 15 to 30 seconds. Continue to rinse with cold water.
- To avoid clogging your garbage disposal, remember to not pour grease down the drain.
Rekindle Your Refrigerator
- Unplug your refrigerator and use a vacuum to remove any dust from the coils. This will help it run more efficiently and trim your utility bills.
- Make sure it’s loaded properly. Contents should be evenly distributed.
Tags: dishwasher tips, fridge tips, Garbage Disposal Tips, how to kitchen, Kitchen appliance tips, kitchen energy tips, Kitchen Household Tips, Kitchen Love, Kitchen maintenance tips, Kitchen repair tips, Lillyan Baker, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Appliance Blog, MrAppliance, Oven Tips, refrigerator tips
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May 10th, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Simple Solutions
Simple solutions to get your household safe and clean with products you can find within your pantry.
After eating an orange, don’t throw away the peel. Citrus peels, including oranges, lemons and limes, can help deodorize your garbage disposal. Excess waste put down your disposal can cause an unforgiving odor. To avoid a stench that can linger, try this simple tip to deodorize your garbage disposal. Place ice cubes in the disposal. Add orange, lemon or lime peels and run the disposal with cold water for 15 to 30 seconds, then turn the disposal off. Continue to run the cold water for 15 seconds thereafter. This eliminates stubborn odors without harsh chemicals, leaving your sink smelling fresh and clean.
From cookies to countertops, vanilla extract can smell your kitchen fresh all week long. Cover up the fish from last night’s dinner by heating up a microwave-safe bowl of vanilla extract for three minutes. Then grab a rag or paper towel and use it to wipe surfaces for stubborn stains and residue in the microwave. To eliminate fridge odors, pour vanilla extract into a bowl with a paper towel and wipe down the refrigerator walls. Your kitchen will smell like fresh baked cookies without the baking!
Tags: appliance repair, clean with home products, how to clean your kitchen, kitchen tips, Lillyan Baker, LillyanBaker, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Appliance Blog, MrAppliance, organic kitchen, simple solutions
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May 3rd, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Dishin' Out Tips
Cooking, baking and living in a green kitchen lifestyle is as simple as making a few changes to your dishwashing routines.
Eliminate a step from your cleaning process- no more pre-rinse! Save up to 20 gallons of water by hand-scraping your dishes, instead of running water for your pre-rinse. Not only will this save on water waste, but it can save your glassware, too! Dishwasher detergent is dependent on food particles to do its job. By having no food to attack, it usually moves to glassware, leaving your dishes cloudy with permanent etching damage.
To get cleaner dishes, purge your water in the sink before running the dishwasher to make sure it’s hot from the beginning of the wash cycle. The hot water will help break down stuck-on food particles and prevent clogs. Make sure your hot water heater is set between 120 and 125 degrees. Give your dishwasher a wash of its own by running an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar. The cleaner will remove soap and calcium build-up that makes your dishwasher worker harder than it has to.
Use short dishwashing cycles and save the normal dishwashing cycles for your dirtiest dishes. Avoid using the “rinse hold” setting, since it uses three to seven gallons of hot water for each use. Give your dishes a breath of fresh air by turning your dishwasher setting to air-dry or open the dishwasher after the rinse cycle.
Tags: appliance repair, broken appliance, dishwasher energy tips, dishwasher ideas, dishwasher repair, dishwasher tips, home appliance repair, Household Tips, kitchen energy tips, Lillyan Baker, Mr. Appliance, MrAppliance
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May 1st, 2013
As the weather begins to warm up, I love having family and friends over for dinner. Sometimes the stress of grocery shopping, decorating the table and prepping the meal can be dinner-overload. As a moving gift, my mom sent me this lasagna recipe from Martha Stewart that Trey and my neighbors absolutely loved. Paired with pesto and gruyere bruschetta as an inviting appetizer, this one-dish meal is sure to please your guests and your schedule too.
For extra flavor, add extra parmesan on top.
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 c all-purpose flour
3 c whole milk
1 c finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
5 c coarsely chopped spinach
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 lemon, very thinly sliced
6 no-boil lasagna noodles
- Melt butter in a saucepan over high heat. Stir in flour; cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Whisk in 3/4 cup cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in spinach.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage in a skillet over high heat, breaking up pieces, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.
- Cover lemon slices with cold water by 3 inches in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.
- Spread 1/4 cup sauce in an 8-inch square nonreactive baking dish. Top with 2 noodles, half the sausage, and 1 cup sauce. Repeat. Top with a layer of lemons, 2 noodles, then remaining sauce and lemons. Bake, covered with parchment-lined foil, for 27 minutes.
Remove from oven. Heat broiler. Uncover lasagna; top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Broil until bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes.
Recipe from MarthaStewart.com.
Just a taste.
Spring Pesto & Gruyere Bruschetta
1 Baguette
1 block of gruyere cheese, thinly sliced
1 c cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 large garlic clove
2 cups fresh basil leaves
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Slice baguette into 1 inch slices. Place cheese slices on top of sliced bread and melt cheese in oven for 5-7 minutes.
3. In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt.
4. Once the cheese is melted, remove baguette slices from oven and spoon pesto on top. Finish with tomato slices and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Tags: appliance repair, bruschetta, gruyere bruschetta, lasagna, lasagna recipe, Lillyan Baker, Live Laugh and Learn with Lillyan, Mr. Appliance, MrAppliance, one-dish recipe, pesto and gruyere bruschetta, pesto bruschetta, sausage spinach and lemon lasagna
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April 26th, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Hidden House Escape
Tired of your man retreating to his man cave after dinner while you are stuck folding laundry? It’s time to create a space for a weekly refuge that is just for you by building your own mom cave. Transform the one room in your house your husband would never think to look, the laundry room! See how a coat of paint and the strike of a match can turn a cinderblock basement into a sanctuary of suds.
A Few Strokes to Paradise
- Even though your sheets are white, doesn’t mean your walls have to be too! For a gallon of paint and a weekend of work, you can revamp your laundry room to give it that straight-out-of-the-magazine look! Pick a color that shows off your personality and brings you energy during a heavy laundry load week.
- For an inexpensive improvement with expensive results, change the pull knobs on drawers and cabinets to turn any outdated cabinet into a work of art.
- Upgrade your cabinets without the replacement cost. Take the time to restain worn panels that have lost their color from years of drippy, wet clothes.
Make It Your Own
- Drop those empty, multi-colored detergent bottles in the recycle; it’s time for some real decorations in your laundry room. Fill your soon-to-be retreat with photos of your most recent girl’s night out and favorite candle aromas.
- If you have the space, add a comfortable chair in your favorite fabric to give yourself a place to kick back and relax. Soaking the stains off your kid’s soccer uniform has never been so easy.
- No need to replace a worn floor, add a large area rug to cover dropped dyes and pickled panels. The added rug will give a soft feel to your haven and your toes.
Escape to Entertainment
- Amplify your playlist and charge your smart phone at the same time. Add a stereo docking station to your kid and husband free zone for simple sounds in your sanctuary.
- King of the remote, move over because the queen is here to stay! You can hang a small flat screen television on an empty wall to catch up on your latest soaps while washing with soap. This is one reality show you will not want to end.
- Give yourself a recess. From sewing to scrapbooking to painting, now you can create a craft area for your favorite hobbies to entertain you while you wait for the dryer to ding.
A Place for Everything
- Make more room for storage by upgrading your appliances to a front loader washer and dryer. These appliances allow you to place storage on top of the machine, not just around it. Now you can save on storage space and energy with every load.
- With your extra room you can create a drop-down ironing board that doubles as a workspace for arts and crafts and for folding clothes.
- No need to air your dirty laundry. Turn your saved appliance space into a hanging clothes rack for air-dry only clothes and peewee football jerseys.
To keep your new appliances running for years to come, schedule a service professional to visit your home once a year for an appliance check-up.
Give yourself a reason to fluff and fold everyday by converting your laundry room into your favorite room in the house with your personalized mom cave. By the time you are finished, your family may even help you with a load of laundry just to check out your new space. With a laundry room that looks this good, washing clothes is a chore no more.
Tags: appliance repair, home appliance repair, how to fix up laundry room, how to washroom, laundry room, laundry room appliances, laundry room DIY, laundry room ideas, laundry room retreats, Lillyan Baker, mom cave, Mr. Appliance, MrAppliance
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April 22nd, 2013
By Lillyan Baker
Berry Bliss
Spring Saturdays are my favorite. I love sleeping in and waking up to the bright, seasonal light that shines through my curtains. There is something sweeter about making breakfast on a Saturday morning than my normal work week. Celebrate the season of new beginnings by incorporating fresh fruit with energy-packed carbs to get you through your weekend of errands, or just relaxing in the springtime sun.
Whole-Grain Berry Muffins
1 1/4 c whole-wheat flour
1 c old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 c flaxseed meal
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 c plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 c packed light brown sugar
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp. grated orange zest, plus 1/4 cup orange juice
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 c fresh blueberries
1 c fresh blackberries
- Heat oven to 375° F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a food processor, process the flour, oats, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda and salt until finely ground.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, butter, orange zest and juice, egg, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated (do not overmix). Fold in the berries.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.
Recipe from RealSimple.com.
Tags: berry muffins, blackberry muffins, blueberry muffins, breakfast recipes, Lillyan Baker, Live Laugh and Learn with Lillyan, Mr. Appliance, MrAppliance, muffin recipes, saturday breakfast, whole grain berry muffins, whole grain muffin recipes, Whole Grain muffins
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