Fairy house

Boba Tea

 Bubble tea most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls. It can contain fruit juice or milk, and is sometimes a blended frozen drink. Tapioca pears are available at Asian grocery stores and some in a variety of sizes and colors. But! Did you know it is possible to make them yourself? You will need tapioca starch, fruit, sugar, a sauce pan, and a blender. Today we make DIY tapioca pears from scratch!

1. Add fruit to your blender to get 1/2 C. puree

2. Add puree,1/2 C. tapica starch, and 1/2 C. sugar to a sauce pan and cook over medium heat until it turns into a goo.

3. Transfer goo to a bowl with another 1 C. tapioca starch, and blend it until starch is incorporated, and feels and acts like playdough.

4. Roll out a long snake of dough and chop into tiny pieces. Roll pieces into balls. After trying this once, I would suggest that smaller is better as the larger ones remain super chewy even after cooking.  

 5. Next you boil the pearls for 20 minutes.

6. Make a tea and add cooked tapioca and serve.

Peter

I found this set of rabbits at Target. So fun.

Chicken a la king

• 1 package sliced fresh mushrooms (traditional)
  
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 2 ribs chopped celery
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken (leftover rotissery chicken or whatever you have)
  
• 2 tablespoons diced pimientos (traditional)
  

I added peas and omitted mushrooms and pimientos

1. Bake biscuits according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the mushrooms, onion and celery in butter until crisp-tender. Stir in flour and salt until blended. Gradually stir in broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
2. Add chicken and pimientos; heat through. Serve with biscuits.

Hash

Leftover corned beef and Yukon potatoes fried. Served with basted eggs, tomatoes, and avocados.

Bird house

Make a little bird house in your soul.

Banana bread

• 5 Tablespoons butter 
• 1/2 C. granulated sugar 
• 1/2 C. brown sugar 
• 1 large egg 
• 2 egg whites (You can use two whole eggs, its just a bit denser) 
• 1 tsp. vanilla (I usually do not add) 
• 1 1/2 C mashed very ripe bananas (About three) 
• 1 3/4 C. ap flour 
• 1 tsp. baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder 
• 1/2 C. heavy cream (milk is just fine) 
• 1/3 C. chopped nuts (I always always omit!) 

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Spray bottom only of 9x5x3 loaf pan with nonstick spray.
2. Beat butter in large bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add sugars and beat well. Add egg and vanilla, beat well until blended. Add mashed banana on medium high speed.
3. Combine dry ingredients and add them to butter mixture, alternating with milk. Fold nuts in last.
4. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 1 hour 15 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool on wire rack.

Snowflake hat

Here is a basic snowflake pattern. I used variegated yarn on the snow flakes which made the stitches hard to count.

Pink stripe hat

I got this pattern from Ravelry link. I followed the adult pattern, but I should have followed the teen size. Even after washing, it didn't shrink down enough.

Cold frame

I built this box out of recycled pallets. The lid is a shower door I found on the side of the road on recycling day. I purchased the support wood for the frame and a box of nails for about $10. I also purchaed a nail puller from Harbor Freight for $4. I anticipate using that many times this year. I am starting seedlings outdoors this year. We shall see if it's worth the effort.

Bird house

Valentine box

Hand pressed paper

Crafts

At school this semester, E has made a Popsicle stick gnome,  a rock painted like a lady bug, and a rainbow flower. I think the teachers are ready for spring.

Orchid expo

Truly the best event of the season is the orchid expo. This year I was fortunate to be invited to the donor's preview event, which is the weekend beofore the exhibit oficially opens. There were orchid cocktails, a cheese tray, and panna cotta. Everyone was on their best behavior which made the event extra nice. I got to see behind the scenes in the working green house, and we each got to take home on orchid for free.

Snow Much Fun