Toasted Coconut

I love using coconut in different foods and treats. We use coconut oil for just about everything in our house but I am still learning to work with actual coconut. We live in a place where they really don't grow so I don't get many fresh coconuts. The other part is that I don't know what I am doing, but then again I usually make things up as I go anyway. So from one maker to another, just go with it!

I have dried coconut in the dehydrator once before, but have never tried toasting coconut until now. You can click the Dehydrated Coconut link if you are interested to see how I did that. In order to toast your own coconut you will need a pan with edges, like a cookie sheet, and some coconut. I just got mine from the bulk section at my local grocery store. It was labeled as "unsweetened" shredded coconut.

Spread out the coconut in a thin layer across your pan. Use as much as you will be able to fit in your pan at one time without it being layered. Turn on your oven to a low bake setting. (I used 200 degrees Fahrenheit). You will need to keep a close eye on your coconut while it is baking because it can get too hot very easily due to the natural oils.

Place pan into oven for 10 minutes or until outer edges of coconut layer becomes a tan color. Remove pan then gently toss coconut. Shake pan to even back out and put back in oven for another 10 minutes. Repeat this step once more or until all coconut is toasted to your liking. Once done, let cool completely then use or store in glass container.

I used toasted coconut and almonds on my most recent batch of date rolls, they were delicious! Let me know if your try this method or if you have found another way that works for you!

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Tie-Dye and Marbled Cookies

For the fourth of July we were invited to some friend's house. I had been asking my husband the last few days if there was anything we should bring. He kept saying no, but I was not satisfied with that answer so I kept asking.
Finally he asked them, or at least told me he asked them to shut me up, and they said cookies would be great. So I got to work 2 hours before we were leaving. Seeing as how it was a holiday after all, I thought I would be patriotic and make marbled and tie-dye cookies. Marble to stand for the pillars which hold up the capital buildings and tie-dye to represent the free spirit with in me and a country that gives me the freedom to write things like this blog.

Not really, I was just making up the design as I went along, but that sounded pretty good right? So to make these cookies you will need to make a rolled out dough cookie. I used a sugar cookie. If you need a recipe here is link to my Sugar Cookies. You will also need food coloring and a cookie cutter.



Prepare your dough and roll out according to directions. For tie-dye cookies blot food coloring onto the dough surface randomly then cut out cookies. 

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You may want to sprinkle with some sugar to hide any odd taste from the coloring.

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 For the marbled look you can just roll your left over dough back into a ball then roll back out. Once rolled out it should looked marbled because of the food coloring. You can do this same effect with separating the dough into two or more pieces and coloring each individual section. Then roll back into one ball and roll out flat to cut.



Bake cookies according to recipe and enjoy! Please let me know if you try this method. I would love to see your pictures!

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Red, White and Blue dip

Do you ever go to a picnic or barbecue where you are not sure if people are in the mood for sweet or savory? Here is a patriotic dip that will please just about everyone! It is sweet when served with graham crackers and savory when served with a buttery or vegetable type cracker. Juicy blue berries and crisp peppers surrounded by a smooth spread.

Red, White and Blue Dip
  8 oz Cream cheese (Vegan or dairy)
  2 C  Blue Berries (Frozen or freeze fresh berries)
  1     Bell Pepper (diced or minced)
20 oz Can Crushed Pineapple Drained
  2 T  Honey
  1 t  Seasoning salt

Mix Cream Cheese with pineapple, seasoning salt and honey. Let set in refrigerator for at least one hour. Fold in blue berries then top with peppers and serve. Simple, quick and delicious! 

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Hanger star wreath

Independence day is coming up quick. I figured I should decorate or something, so here goes. I have a Scentsy warmer that is star shaped but that was really it other then a flag. I happen to have some broken hangers that I never really know what to do with anyway. I usually end up just throwing them into the recycling bin. I had been think about making a star out of hangers on and off this week but never got around to it. After a frustrating day at work today I just needed to craft it out. So I cranked up some music and got to work.

To make a wreath like this you will need:

3 old hangers

Tape

Cutters for the hanger

130 strips of fabric (2" X 8")

Glue (Optional)

Start by preparing your points. Cut bottom line in half.

Cut off the top hook and any hanging pieces so you are left with 5 points. 

Tape center joints together.

Start tying fabric strips around the star you have made. It does not matter how you tie them. Just try to use the same method all the way around. I have used a basic hitch knot.




You can create a pattern of your choice with . When I was finished tying on the fabric strips I trimmed the longer pieces to make them as even as possible. You may need to use some glue to hold the fabric in place on the points if it slides.

I realized after doing two of the points that the hangers that are wider in the corners make it a little difficult to tie on the fabric. If you have the option of  hangers that are the same size all the way around it is best.

I am pretty pleased with how this star came out. It is really light weight and was easy to do. This would be a great project with kids and you can use the same method for just about any shape.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Let me see, me

I pray God lets me see.
From the warrior, to the war in her.
At battle with the passion for her own desires and of her family.

Friends,
Family, everywhere in between.
Inside out.
Out of place, drives her a little over.
Over, to another lesson.
In love with the life she is living.
She is a tightrope walker.
Balancing, the weight.
Shoulders tight, nose runny.
Illness is an ugly world.
Much like hate and loathing.
Fund to say, that is all...
That my life is all. May I see myself.
In you, through you, to you.
Balance that.
Grace, Love, Power.

Power of the one.
One who, is me.
I am, self.
I am determined to live.
For my desires are yours.
My passion, be you.
Or as close as I can be.
At the hem of your garment.
Sew with love. Create with honor.
Make the life I live be.
Meaningfully showing life with grace.
To be me.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Blackbean Hummus

When I get stressed out I try to keep breathing and be productive instead of wallowing in my own self pity. Lately my patience has been running on fumes and I have been struggling in the muck. Fighting my urge to just sit on the couch and get to sucked into whatever is on the screen, I made dip.
A hummus to be exact. I think it turned out really well and my son and I have been eating on it the last few days. It is officially kid test and mother approved.

To make this dip you will need...

1 C Black Beans (Canned is fine just drain and rinse)
1 C Chickpeas / Garbanzo Beans(Canned is fine just drain and rinse)
3 Cloves garlic
1 T Tahini (Recipe at bottom)
1/3 C Olive oil
1 Dried pepper minced or 1 T of red pepper flake (yours choice of heat)
Salt to taste ( I used about 1 teaspoon)


Once you have drained and rise beans, puree in food processor / blender with 1/2 of the oil. Once smooth add Tahini, pulse a few times then add remaining ingredients. Puree once more until everything is incorporated then serve with pita chips or veggies.

Tahini
1 C Sesame Seeds
1/4 - 1/3 C Olive oil

Toast sesame seeds until light brown. Add olive oil and puree until smooth.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Rules and regulations

This post is going to be a rant, if you don't want to read it I suggest you stop now. 

For those of you that don't mind here is what is going on in my life right now. My husband and I have been approved for a VA Loan, we have looked at over 30 houses and have been beat out by other offers three times now. We have found a house we love and it needs a lot of work. However we are completely willing to do all the work and are ready to pay full asking price and accept this house as-is. Due to restrictions from the approval process during VA appraisal it will never pass the inspection.

I am beyond frustrated right now. I understand that the VA is trying to do a service for our military families  to provide safe housing but I would think if you are knowingly willing to complete any unfinished work or repair you know what your getting into. 

I am trying very hard to look at this as a sign from God that this is not the right house for us. But the way the housing market is going and how fast "move in ready" houses are going, we are going to end up paying a lot more then we want. With that said, we are continuing to look at more houses today.  I pray that I will go into each house with a clear and level head and move on from the ones we will never get. I pray for confidence on our decisions and peace when we find the one god has in his will for us.

Aside from trying to find our new home, my husband is working three hours away during the week (at least he is working) and my son is going through some pretty wicked tantrums right now. I am not sure if my patience has ever been tested so much at once.

~Kristen