Yummy Cheesecake Strawberries

Not sure what these are called. I just like to call them yummy cheesecake strawberries. They are super easy, fast and delicious.

INGREDIENTS

Strawberries

8oz. cream cheese (softened)

powdered sugar to taste ( I used 4tbsp.)

splash vanilla extract

crushed graham crackers (I used 3 crackers)

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash and core strawberries ( core enough out to stuff enough filling in)

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl until creamy.

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs

use a piping bag or a small spoon (like I used) to scoop the cream cheese filling into the cored strawberries, roll them in the crushed graham crackers

Enjoy right away withor refrigerate until ready to eat!

note:

I made about 12 strawberries, my kids were eating them as I was plating them. I had quite a bit of filling left which I spread on graham crackers for them and they loved it. So you can adjust the ingredients more or less to accommodate for the amount of strawberries you have.

Freezing Strawberries

 I saw strawberries on sale today for $0.99 a pint, I had to stock up. My children love smoothies, so I decided to core, wash and freeze them for future use.

I like to lay them all out on a cookie sheet and partially freeze them. This prevents the water and juice from getting into your machine, which makes for a bad seal and could potentially ruin your Foodsaver.

I like to use my Foodsaver whenever I'm freezing anything from fresh fruits and veggies to meats. I know that they will last longer and I don't have to worry  about freezer burn.

 All done and ready for the freezer and future smoothies.

Will this winter ever end? Seriously, just last week I was raking the yard and getting all ready to patch the bare spots on the lawn. More importantly, I was getting prepared to plant my garden. Then, Mother Nature and Old Man Winter decide to play a cruel joke and dump 10" of snow on us. Really, in the middle of April!
On the bright side the weatherman say we are going to start warming up next week.
So, I guess I will take this extra time I've been given to get my garden plans all drawn out.

Here's a really neat garden planning tool I'm trying out tonight....

http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Page-KGPJS

Help for My Strawberries

Strawberries

So about 2 years ago I decided to plant some strawberries. I started with four plants, I now have about thirty. They get berries, but not too many and not very big. I wish I would have seen this article sooner.  There are some great tips here http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/fruit/how-to-grow-strawberries/ . Another site with some great tips is 

http://wholelifestylenutrition.com/gardening/follow-this-one-tip-in-garden-get-ton-organic-strawberries/ .

Tomatoes

Tomato Growing Hints

I love growing tomatoes, and weirdly enough my kid's love eating them. My son eats them right out of the garden like apples. I'm always on the lookout for ways to grow them bigger and better.
Here's a link to some great tomato growing tips.

http://www.squidoo.com/12-tips-for-growing-better-tomatoes

Regrowing Foods From Scraps

Here is a picture of the garlic I planted in Mason jars. It's been three weeks today.

Follow the link below for more foods you can grow from scraps.

http://wakeup-world.com/2012/10/15/16-foods-thatll-re-grow-from-kitchen-scraps/

Bee and Wasp Trap

With summer right around the corner, all those pesky insects will be coming out.  I especially dislike bees and wasps, and I love the idea of  this wasp trap. I will post pictures of my trap when the snow goes away and I can get outside to make one. In the mean time here's a link with instructions on making your own.

http://www.prairiestory.com/2010/09/homemade-wasp-trap.html

I Want to Make it!

Bird Houses 

I promised myself that I am going to build some birdhouses this summer.  I think I have the general knowledge but I have been searching the web for different ideas.Here are links to some great bird houses. I will post pictures of my creations after they are finished.

http://www.craftionary.net/2013/02/make-birdhouses-garden.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Craftionary+%28Craftionary%29

http://www.freshhomeideas.com/diy-projects/craft-projects/how-to-build-a-bird-house