Homemade Hot Fudge on Ice Cream Cookie Bowls

by brookeO Posted on June 2, 2012

I love birthdays. They’re the perfect excuse to spoil someone rotten.

My favorite way to spoil people is with food, you’d know this if you’ve ever visited my house. I’m always cooking way too much. But I love it so what can I say.

Yesterday was my husband’s birthday.

 So naturally I asked for his cake request.

But he didn’t want cake.  Which actually makes sense, we didn’t even have cake at our wedding. But he asked for ice cream sandwiches…

Did I mention we live 50 miles from the nearest town in the middle of the desert? Ice cream is NEVER on my grocery list.

And although I found a way to get ice cream into our house, I wasn’t too excited about making ice cream sandwiches. So I came up with these amazing ice cream cookie bowls instead.

Bowl: To make the bowl, I simply prepared this Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie dough. Then, I lined a small oven proof bowl with butter and then dusted it with flour. I then carefully pressed the dough along the base and walls of the bowl. Cook the cookie bowls as directed. When removed from the oven, press the middle with a smaller bowl to make an impression and allow to cool for about 15 minutes. Using a knife to loosen the sides, carefully remove the cookie bowl. Bake another 2-4 minutes until cooked through.

Topping: Top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a generous drizzle of homemade hot fudge.

Hot Fudge
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Recipe type: Dessert
Author: The Homespun Journal
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 5 mins
Total time: 10 mins
Ingredients
  • Double boiler
  • Chocolate chunks
  • Whipping cream
Instructions
  1. Melt the chocolate chunks in the double boiler.
  2. As soon as all the chocolate has melted, slowly whisk in a splash of cream at a time.
  3. Add cream until your hot fudge reaches the desired consistency.
  4. Once the desired consistency is reached, remove from heat and serve.
Notes

I chose not to include measurements for this recipe because I often use left over chocolate chunks. Any quantity will work. And since cream quantities will vary based on chocolate quantities, I thought it more useful to share method rather than measurement. Enjoy!

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What are some of your favorite birthday creations?

Posted in Recipes, Self-sustaining, Treats | Leave a comment

The Dark and Stormy Cocktail Recipe

by brookeO Posted on June 1, 2012

Every once in a while happy hour finds The Homespun Journal, but I like to think that is only natural. Friday finds us all, and sometimes a cool beverage on the porch is the perfect end to the work week.

The amazing Moscow Mule has been my happy hour drink of choice for the past few years now.

In fact, when I was recently visiting Denver and asked what I missed, my first response was our amazing Denver friends of course, but when I was probed for something more material, the first thing that came to mind was a Moscow Mule- crazy I know!

But anyway, as I skipped my way across my favorite Denver eateries, consuming Moscow Mules along the way, a friend asked about my feelings for the Dark and Stormy. To which I responded with a blank stare, little did I know I was about to develop a new found favorite!

Dark and Stormy
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Recipe type: Cocktail
Prep time: 5 mins
Total time: 5 mins
Serves: 1
The perfect chilled beverage for warm summer cocktail hours.
Ingredients
  • Chilled glass
  • Ice
  • 2 t. lime juice
  • 4 oz. spiced rum
  • Ginger beer
  • 1/4 wedge lime
Instructions
  1. Fill your chilled glass with ice.
  2. Add the lime juice and the rum.
  3. Top with ginger beer and stir.
  4. Rim with lime wedge.
  5. Serve chilled.
Notes

For a touch of class, serve with a 1/4 lime wedge.

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* Want to pick the perfect lime? Use your nose! If it smells like lime, it’s probably a good pick.

Have you tried The Dark and Stormy before, what do you think?

This fancy Friday beverage is delicious served from any chilled glass, but if you think they rock and plan to start hosting Dark and Stormy Happy Hours every Friday and want the fancy copper mugs they’re traditionally served in, I’ve added them to our Amazon Store. But be warned, you’ll have a hard time leaving them out of your Summer Cocktail Hour Celebrations in the future. Cheers!

Posted in Recipes, Treats | Leave a comment

5 Steps to Start Sewing

by brookeO Posted on May 31, 2012

When I began on this journey of a simpler, more self-sufficient living, sewing was not a skill I had any interest in learning.I’ve always been one of those people to battle the machine and tangle up the bobbin (which still happens on occasion).

But as I found myself learning more homesteading skills, I couldn’t ignore the need for some simple sewing skills.

So I started the search for a sewing machine and found myself a $15 steal with a severed cord at the local thrift store. My husband helped me with the cord repair and then I was on my own…

So how does a beginner start sewing? These 5 steps are what helped me the most:

  1. Read the User’s Manual- The manual not only tells you how to use your machine. Everything is accompanied with fairly decent graphics and many of the settings are explained in depth so you know when and how to use them. If your machine didn’t come with a user’s manual, Google your machines make and model and download one. That is how I found a PDF version for my machine.
  2. Check out YouTube- I have learned many new skills from YouTube. There are excellent tutorials for sewing, some of which get down to the nitty-gritty of specific machines.
  3. Practice on Scraps- I know this sounds obvious, but a new machine can instigate impulsive sewing. Don’t set yourself up for failure by starting a project before you know how to use your machine. I filled a few bobbins and stitched a few swatches of fabric before beginning my first project.
  4. Choose a Meaningless First Project- Choose a first project that doesn’t mean much to you. That way if it doesn’t work out, you can tear it apart and try to fix some of your mistakes.
  5. Browse Sewing Projects on Pinterest- It’s okay if you’re laughing at me, but Pinterest offers great links to tutorials and provides some wonderful motivation. Seeing the success of other people can encourage you to shoot for the same. Check out my finds!

Do you sew? What advice do you have for those of us that are just getting started?

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A Paddle’s Pace

by brookeO Posted on May 30, 2012

 


Short weeks are supposed to pass quickly and easily, or at least this is what my brain tells me. Because of this, I always get this idea in my head that the days will breeze by, gently carrying me into the next weekend. I’m always wrong.

It’s already Tuesday evening and I’m still scrambling to finish what would have been done Monday night!

I’m okay with this. It’s the price I’m willing to pay for slowing my pace.

This past weekend, we had an opportunity to slow life to a paddle’s pace and experience these beautiful things.

Since we are still struggling to get back on track, today’s post is simply me challenging you to do the same. Simpler living is all about slowing ourselves down. So this week, take some time and slow life down. Appreciate the things surrounding you and enjoy the day!

What will you find?

*The other awesome pictures are courtesy of McKayla Ruby Haack of Wing it Adventures!

Posted in Self-sustaining | Leave a comment

Fresh Tomato Basil Bruschetta

by brookeO Posted on May 28, 2012

Every Monday, The Homespun Journal shares a meatless meal idea. By doing this, we hope to build a collection of resources that will help you to go meatless on Mondays, regardless of your reason.

Today’s dinner was actually intended for a meatless dinner over the weekend that would accompany our soak in a natural hot spring. Unfortunately, a rapidly leaking tire and high temperatures changed that plan. But lucky for us (and you) this meal can be easily saved for another day, landing it onto our plates, and your screens, for another Meatless Monday.

Bruschetta is typically served as an appetizer; however, when served on thickly sliced bread and alongside a vegetable filled salad, it is the perfect meal for beginning the week with healthier choices.

I chose this meal for a few important reasons:

  1. It can be made ahead. Mondays are busy. Anything that can be made, stored, and eaten later is ideal in my book.
  2. It accompanies the hot winds of summer nicely. The bruschetta is cool, light and filling.
  3. We love it. It seems like a simple meal, and it is. But it is perfect for eating, talking, relaxing and enjoying an evening, which is a wonderful way to start a week.
Fresh Tomato Basil Bruschetta
5.0 from 1 reviews
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Recipe type: Appetiser
Author: The Homespun Journal
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 5 mins
Total time: 15 mins
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 4 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup white onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 1 T. balsamic
  • ¼ of a lemon
  • Salt and pepper
  • Baguette, sliced, toasted & drizzled with olive oil
  • Parmesan or feta
Instructions
  1. Combine the first five ingredients together in a small mixing bowl.
  2. Squeeze the juice from a ¼ lemon over everything and mix through.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Stir through.
  4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Scoop a portion onto each slice of oil drizzled toast and sprinkle with cheese.
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Served with a crisp salad filled with fresh veggies and sprinkled with cheese, this meal is a perfect follow up to all of the deliciously, heavy foods that come with Memorial Day Camping Trips.

How did you spend your Memorial Day weekend?

We spent the weekend with friends eating delicious grilled goodies and drinking too many summer cocktails… but that’s what weekend visits with friends are for! This dinner is just what we need to kick off the week. How about you?

 

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Posted in Meatless Mondays, Recipes, Side Dish | 2 Comments