Tip-sy Tuesday: dividing batter

Well here's a tip I should have thought of years ago - when making batter that gets divided equally into two (or more) pans, like 2 cakes or bread pans, I struggle with getting them even so one cake is invariably taller than the other (which doesn't look good if you're making a two layer cake) or I'll have different size loaves of bread...

Then I got the idea to use my kitchen scale - now I pour the batter into the pans and put them one at a time on the scale, then spoon batter from one to the other until they weigh the same. Now they are exactly the same size. I appreciate that this idea is probably commonplace in other bakers' kitchens, but not in mine so I'm now super happy to have this trick up my sleeve.


10.1.18: peeping tom pumpkin
10.1.16: coffee treat
10.1.15: mossy halloween wreath

Tip-sy Tuesday: How to use a Shredding Disk

Since I had to get the manual out to figure out how to shred my giant zucchini, I took a bunch of pictures to save you the hassle of locating the manual and figuring out to use the shredding disk of your food processor! Not hard but (at least on mine) a little tricky to figure out on my own. You might want this info before the next two posts this week - you'll see why tomorrow.

Normally when using my food processor I use the blade shown in the bowl to chop or blend ingredients, to shred you need to remove that blade and will replace it with the shredding disk and adapter thing:

I put the adapter piece in the bowl so you can see where it's going to go - but first you need to attach it to the shredding disk:

It's a bit of a puzzle - the notches on the adapter align with notches on the back of the shredding disk:

 Place the adapter notches in the notches on the shredding disk as shown:

Twist the adapter to lock it in place (the adapter notches are under the metal tabs in the picture below:

 After it's locked on, slide the adapter into the center of the food processor bowl:

Put the top of the food processor in place and lock it on like normal. Cut the food you want shredded into pieces that will fit into the feeder tube as shown (I did wedges of zucchini):

Use the pusher thing to help get the zucchini down onto the shredding disk:

 In a few seconds you'll have a bowl full of shredded zucchini:

Stop back tomorrow for a recipe using shredded zucchini!

Tip-sy Tuesday: Stringing Beads

I can't tell you how many times I've left strands of beads not knotted off yet on my desk that I've then picked up like a dummy and all the beads slide off (and usually go all over the floor)! Ugh I hate when that happens. So here's what I try to do when I leave a bead project before it's done - put a binder clip on the end of the string/wire/cord so the beads can't slip off. Such an easy solution that has taken me years to figure out!

It's especially helpful when working with multi-strand pieces, sometimes I don't want to finish a strand until I see how it'll look with the other strands - and no matter how many times I tell myself to not pick the project up I do anyway! Head slap. Now I put a clip on the open strands until I'm ready to finish them.


4.2.18: make a spring wreath
4.2.17: BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes
4.2.16: cleaning glassware


Happy moment ~ laughing on the kiddie rides with a 5 year old

Tip-sy Tuesday: Sewing On Vinyl

I've been sewing quite a bit lately and this tip really came in handy when I made my sketchy jewelry hanger (click here for that post). Vinyl tends to stick when going thru the needle - to help things run smoother just put tape on the underside of the presser foot and on the needle plate (the metal parts where the vinyl might stick), leaving an opening where the needle goes up and down thru the material.

above photo - I have taped left and right of the needle on the plate...
and am removing the presser foot by unscrewing it with the little
screwdriver that came with my machine

after removing the foot...

...turn it over and put tape on the bottom of the foot, leave a
space for the needle to go thru the material without having
 to go thru tape  Reattach the foot and tighten with the screwdriver. 

click here for the original source of this idea

3.19.19: crocheted bunny

3.19.18: zucchini and quinoa cakes
3.19.17: vodka gimlet

Happy moment ~ every bit of the laundry done and put away

Tip-sy Tuesday: Single Cupcake Container

Patty couldn't come to Sunday Supper so I packaged up some food to make her a doggie bag - we had cupcakes for dessert (check tomorrow for how to make "Island Cupcakes", they turned out SO good!) and I wanted to include one for her but packaging one cupcake isn't easy - how to hold it upright and not mess up the pretty topping?

Then I remembered this idea I saw somewhere - it's brilliant, easy, and works. Now you can take one cupcake in your lunch (or your kids' lunch if you are sharing the cupcakes) thanks to this simple idea ;) Mmmmm lunch cupcake....

Put the cupcake in a small plastic tumbler, top with a second tumbler and either tape them together or tie something around to hold the top one in place. No smushed cupcake!

3.12.18: make a layered paper shamrock using decorative patterned paper
3.12.17: blueberry chutney (delish with pork tenderloin!)
3.12.16: copycat shamrock shake


Happy moment ~ hello - lunch cupcake, obviously