Peanutbutter Balls

http://scratchitcook.com/2014/08/04/peanut-butter-balls/

Ingredients:

• 1 cup 100% natural peanut butter 
• 3.5-4 tablespoons pure maple syrup, to taste
• 2-3 tablespoons coconut flour 
• fine grain sea salt, to taste
• 6 tablespoons gluten-free rice crisp cereal
• 1 bar of semi sweet baking chocolate
• 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions:

1. Stir the jar of peanut butter well before using. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and maple syrup vigorously, for 30-60 seconds, until it thickens up. It will go from runny to thick during this time.
2. Stir in the coconut flour until combined (if your PB is dry, you might be able to skip this step or only use half). We’re looking for a texture that isn’t too sticky, but not too dry either. Let it sit for a couple minutes to firm up as the coconut flour will continue to absorb moisture with time. Add a touch more coconut flour if necessary. Or if it’s too dry, add a touch more syrup.
3. Add salt to taste and stir in the cereal.
4. Shape into small balls (I made about 18).
5. In a small pot, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and heat over low heat, stirring frequently. Once half the chips have melted, remove from heat and stir until completely smooth.
6. Dip the balls into the melted chocolate with a fork or a spoon. Tap off excess chocolate on the side of the pot and place the ball on a plate or cutting board lined with parchment. Repeat for the rest.
7. Freeze the balls for another 15-30 minutes, until the chocolate is completely set.

Coconut Bliss Balls

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13004/vegan-coconut-bliss-balls-that-will-wow-your-taste-buds.html

 

Coconut Bliss Balls
Ingredients
Makes about 10 balls

• 1 cup finely shredded coconut
• 3 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 3 Tbsp. maple syrup
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• sea salt

Directions
Combine coconut, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a blender or food processor. Blend until well combined into a thick ‘crumb,’
Use your hands to mold the coconut crumb into bite-size balls. They should stick together nicely. Place the balls on a piece of wax paper.
Melt chocolate chips and use a spoon to gently drizzle the melted chocolate over each coconut ball. You want enough to fully cover the top and sides of each ball, but not so much that it makes a large pool around the base.
Sprinkle each ball with a bit of sea salt while the chocolate is still moist.
Refrigerate the balls for two hours (to harden) and enjoy!

Sunday Morning Beauty.....

music is poetry of the soul (see link below for ordering details)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/172744734/music-is-poetry-of-the-soul-five-wrap?ref=shop_home_active_12

Beach Goddess (see link below for ordering details)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129193706/beach-goddess-five-wrap-memory-wire

excursion to Sea Pines and Daufuski Island...blessed by Manatee and a beautiful Dolphin that came right up to us!

   












  



   

Soap Nut Laundry Soap

So I just haven't been happy with the laundry soap that I've been making since 2008....I haven't been happy with it since moving to South Carolina.  I'm going to presume water conditions, etc have affected the formula.  That said, I put the call out, and my mom answered, and I can't believe how wonderful and easy this laundry soap is to make!  And, it leaves clothing OH so soft (and clean too;).

The Recipe: 

12 soap nuts
8 cups of water
1 tbsp salt (preservative, these ARE real nuts:)
1/4 cup borax

Boil/simmer the soap nuts in 8 cups of water for 30 minutes.
When cooled a bit, add borax and salt.

If the water needs a boost (alkaline water, add vinegar if necessary in the rinse cycle) 

remove soap nuts and it is ready!

Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of laundry soap per load.

 Add desired essential oil drops on a per load basis if desired.


***note: keep dried soap nuts and use for things like home made bug spray base, or fertilizer for garden, potted plants (can't be reused for laundry soap)

ALSO: instead of dryer sheets, I now use Lambswool balls!

nostalgic fall harvest decorating

Added a little decorative touch....Autumn....I do miss the beauty of WI in the fall....along with pumpkin farms, the crispness in the air (before it turns bitter cold;), apple farms....the giant pumpkin Fest, the north woods craft fairs.....the pumpkin patch farms just don't compare down here;)





feeling nostalgic as my parents had TWO offers on their WI northwoods home....in one day;)

scenes from our beautiful visit to the beach last night....in honor of J's brother

Butterfly Gardens at the Coastal Discovery Museum

bonus....we're signed up for a lowcountry dragonfly lecture next week!

Today We Celebrate J's Brother!

Happy National Dog Day!