Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Mmmm this is one of my favorite pies! I use fresh homegrown rhubarb and frozen Costco strawberries! It is really easy to whip this together and impress your guests or just enjoy with your family.  You can adjust the sugar amount to fit your own tastes, mine comes out on the tart side but not too tart.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

1 double pie crust (see recipe below)
2 eggs beaten
1 cup sugar
1 T flour
3 cups rhubarb
2 cups sliced strawberries

Roll out pie crust and put bottom layer into pie plate.
*TIP* When picking up your crust; fold it in half like a 
half circle, then in half again like a triangle.  This makes 
it easier to pick up and place in pie plate with out breaking.

Ta Da

Mix together sugar and flour; stir in rhubarb and strawberries.
Add egg, mix.  Pour into prepared pie crust.

Cover with top crust; seal and flute edges.  Cut small slits into top of pie.
Bake at 350* for 35-45 min or more if needed. 

Never-Fail Pie Crust ~ Taste of Home

Enjoy with ice cream or cream. It is Delish!

MadCounty Mama

What does $19 buy you?

Well if you're thrifty and clever you can find all sorts of ways to score a deal! Here's my weekend garage sale-ing spoils!

Little People Castle

Comes with a Knight in shining armor - how nice is that??

My First Purse

New to us clothes for Princess - I paid .25 for each -the birthday shirt is $8 at Target.

Toddler bedding set matches great with a garden themed room.

And some random accessories to add some dazzle.

 

 

 

 

I think I have birthday/Christmas/next year's birthday and possibly a few other gift giving circumstances for the Princess covered now!  Did I mention a couple weeks ago I found a Little People dollhouse?
I have big plans for the accessories - the candlesticks will be painted either black or white; these will dress up either a side table or dresser in the guest room.  The suitcase/cosmetic case will be going into the guest room to hold a throw blanket.  The picture frame has a lot of interesting detailing on it and will be in the guest room as well. The wood basket in going into the guest bath to help organize in there.
The last thing that I found that is not pictured here is a school desk with attached chair for our homeschooling adventure.
What can you score with $19???

MadCounty Mama

Mama's Banana Bread

I took my favorite banana bread recipe from Betty Crocker and turned it into something healthier.  The results were awesome!

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt (optional)
3 Tbl applesauce (instead of oil)
1 1/2 Tbl plain yogurt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2-3 mashed bananas

Mix dry ingredients

and separately wet.

Mix both together till combined, do not
over mix.  Pour into 1 greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350* for 45-55 min. 

*NOTES*

Sometimes more milk is needed if batter
is too dry.

I made mine in 2 loaf pans by mistake so
they baked quicker and were obviously
smaller but they tasted just as great!

As you can see the first loaf didn't last long.
 Happy Cooking!!!

MadCounty Mama

The Beautiful Guest Room

Have you ever saw the episode of Friends where Monica and Chandler argue over what to do with their spare bedroom? Chandler wants to buy an old arcade game to put in there while Monica wants it to be a beautiful guest room filled with antiques.  Yes I am a Friends fanatic.  And if you think about it's actually a really helpful show as it gave me much inspiration for our guest room!  The room is not finished yet but I've heard that taking your time and letting the room sort of develop works best. I've found some great pieces but am still looking for more.  Here's the before shots:

 

Isn't that color so calm and inviting?

 What to do, what to do...

The boys were off to Grandma's one weekend so we grabbed some paint brushes and did our best to cover it up.  Even with the paint/primer in one we decided to prime and I'm glad we did.  One coat of primer and 2 coats of paint/primer later:

. 

I covered up the bookcase with a sheer lace curtain I had lying around. I am not sure how to finish the dresser yet.  I would LOVE suggestions!!!

 The small table was another great dump find by my dad and the matching chairs 

came 1/2 off at a thrift store. The group of 3 pictures will be hung above the bed to imitate a headboard since we do not have one at this time.

MadCounty Mama

Rainy Day = Catching Up

When I woke in the middle of the night to rain steadily falling on the rooftop, I was pleased and hopeful that it would last thru the day.  Why? I need a rainy day to catch up on all my housework, projects and other indoor activities that get neglected this time of year.  So far my morning has been incredibly productive and now that all three! Yep ALL 3 kiddos are napping AT THE SAME TIME!!! there is a bit of time to catch up on my blog.
April was a busy month for us.  PreacherMan was working at home on the ministry website, meeting with folks and reading/writing.
In preschool we did a lot of activities for the upcoming Holy week and Resurrection Sunday. More on that here.
Before I knew it May was here. We started the month at a birthday party and we ended the month with another! With several birthdays, family gatherings, warmer weather and PreacherMan going back to work outside of the home, May flew by and left me wondering where exactly am I?
Now almost a full week into the month of June the garden is planted and the weather is finely starting to act like summer is coming.  I know it will fly by too and hopefully I am able to find a bit of time to write.
For Now~
MadCounty Mama