A Holiday Haven: July 2010

Friday, July 30

How to get rid of Sunburns (My Mom Tip)

Think of this as an old wives tale... but I am not an old wife... well, I am a wife... but at 34 I do not consider myself old, OK, anyway, I said all that to say, I am not a doctor or anything, just a mom. And I have figured out a sunburn remedy. Or at least it takes away the redness and sting of sunburn. I have no idea if it actually cures a sunburn or any of that other medical stuff, so if you are looking for medical advice, this is not it.

And here it is:

When someone gets sunburned (which I try to make sure never happens), that evening I make them take a cool bath, dry off, and then apply "Burts Bees, Hand Salve, a Farmer's Friend". I apply it liberally and then have them sleep overnight with the salve on. In the morning, no more sunburn. Or at least, no more redness and stinging (again I have no idea if it actually cures anything). I have never applied it to a bad sunburn, like with blisters and the such, so I have no idea if it would help in that case, but for mild sunburns it is amazing.

And it smells amazing too!

Wednesday, July 28

Frozen Grapes are Better Than Icecream

Recently I had a facebook friend post "How come no one ever told me that frozen grapes are better than Icecream?". Well after that statement we HAD to investigate them. And yes, tried, tested, and true, I and my family are here to exclaim to the world that YES, yes, they are!! The green ones we thought were just OK, the black grapes have an amazing texture when frozen and were very good. But our favorite were the red grapes. Red grapes have a nice texture and seem to be sweeter when frozen. So the final score: Icecream 0, mom 1. :)

Monday, July 26

Vacation Idea #29 - Kayak Point

WISH i was on HOLIDAY

Summers on Holiday Haven

- Vacation Idea #29 -

Kayak Point Park

On the last day of our family reunions we have a 'good bye' picnic. This year that picnic was held at Kayak Point County Park.

It costs $5 to visit the park for the day.

They have a yurt village you can rent.

Their camp spots are all nicely wooded.

You can rent this shelter and there is a kitchen a little walk away that you can rent as well.

But, the playground was where we spent most of our time.

And they have equipment to suit all ages. From this scary contraption.

To this hidden little gem.

Down by the water there are picnic tables and campfire rings. Where we had lunch and s'mores.

Just across from the picnic tables is a wide open lawn. See the guy with the Frisbee?

A dock to fish from, or just enjoy the view.

Oh, and sand.

Sand, was a hit.

Throwing it in the water.

Do you think those shoes stayed dry?

In a driftwood fort we set up a rock, shell, and seaglass shop.

Although there wasn't much seaglass to be found on this beach. Just little bits like this one. Do you see it?

Here is a link to Kayak Point if you want to see more about it.

Saturday, July 24

How to make a Strawberry cake

This cute little strawberry cake is simple to make (really!) see the tutorial below.

Start with a rectangular 9x11 sheet cake pan.

1. Preheat your over, this is important for cake.

2. Grease the pan. Then lay waxed paper or parchment paper in the bottom of the pan. Grease the paper pour the cake batter on top. And bake as recommended in your recipe. (A layer of waxed paper helps to keep the cake from sticking to the pan).

3. Once the cake is baked cool completely. (Important)

4. Turn out cake and remove waxed paper from bottom.

5. Cut heart shapes in the cake. I used paper templates as I am unable to draw an even heart. One side of the heart always come out wonky for me.

6. Remove excess cake. Till you have your heart shaped cake. I was able to cut 4 smaller cakes from the 9x11 sheet cake.

7. Tort the cake (cut in half horizontally) to fill.

8. Create a icing barrier by filling a sandwich bag with frosting and cutting the end.

Icing: 1 part butter to 4 parts powdered sugar and then thinned with a little milk added a tablespoon at a time will make a decent buttercream icing.

(see what I mean about a wonky heart shape?)

9. Fill with strawberry jam, fresh strawberries, or other fun filling. Do not over fill. And replace top layer of cake.

10. Frost the cake and do not worry if it looks as bad as mine below.

11. Add a couple of cups more of powdered sugar to your buttercream icing (see recipe above) until you get something you can roll out. I just keep adding powdered sugar till it is no longer sticky.

12. With gloved or well washed hand remove icing from mixer and "kneed" it gently on waxed paper.

13. roll out your frosting on the waxed paper to 1/4 inch thickness.

14. Lay the frosting over the top of cake.

15. carefully remove the waxed paper from frosting.

16. Press the edges down and trim excess.

17. Because red should be a color, and not a taste, I use this spray color. (You may be able to find it in Walmarts, Jo-Annes, or where ever wedding cake supplies are sold.) You can also use a no taste red gel color, but the best one I have found comes out pinkish.

18. Spray on thoroughly. It will even out and darken some as it dries. And you will need to transfer the cake to another plate as the frosting will be all over the one you sprayed the cake on.

19. Put a little yellow frosting in a baggie and make dots all over. You can use these dots to hide some flaws too.

20. I use gel food coloring and like the spray one above you can find it where wedding cake supplies are sold. The liquid type only thins the frosting and for some reason adding more powdered sugar doesn't seem to fix it. For all the cakes I have on this site food coloring is the only special tool required.